JP4562150B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus provided with a wiping means for cleaning the nozzle surface of an ink jet recording head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an inkjet printer apparatus (recording apparatus) that performs recording by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles of a recording head while reciprocating a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, and attaching this to a recording material such as paper, To remove ink mist, paper dust, etc., which may cause a drop in ejection performance by adhering to the recording head or contaminate the recording medium, a blade made of an elastic material such as rubber is used. In general, a wiping means for cleaning the nozzle surface of the recording head is provided. The wiping means of the recording apparatus may only perform wiping in one direction with respect to the recording head due to the specification of the recording head or because it is necessary to control the direction in which the removed ink flies. There were many.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the wiping means that performs unidirectional wiping on the recording head has the necessity and problem described below.
[0004]
First, in order to control the wiping direction of the blade, depending on the moving direction of the carriage of the recording head, a means for retracting either the blade or the carriage is required so that the blade and the recording head do not contact each other. is there.
[0005]
Second, if a blade cleaner that cleans the blades of the wiping means is provided on the recording head, for example, in a permanent type recording head that is not periodically replaced, the required ink holding amount of the cleaner becomes large. It is not feasible.
[0006]
Thirdly, when a blade cleaner for cleaning the blade of the wiping means is provided on the carriage, the blade cleaner is directed downward in the inkjet recording method in which ink is generally discharged downward. In addition, it is difficult for the blade cleaner to hold liquid ink, and if the ink overflows a little from the blade cleaner, the recording medium becomes dirty as the carriage scans due to the overflow ink. There is a point.
[0007]
Fourthly, as a solution to the above problem, the above problem can be solved by providing a blade cleaner in the recovery system for recovering the recording head state, and the blade and the blade cleaner can be easily and simultaneously replaced. Rotating self-cleaning wipers have also been proposed, but according to this, the blade stop position varies due to variations such as gear backlash to rotate the blade, resulting in variations in wiping performance May occur.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus provided with a wiping means that can accurately determine the phase of a blade during wiping, while being a rotary wiping mechanism in which the blade can be easily cleaned.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, NoIs it slippery?LiquidDischarge bodyOn the recording mediumA recording head for recording;A carriage that moves with the recording head mounted thereon;The nozzle opening forming surface of the recording headto clean upbladeA blade holder that supports the blade, a blade spring that urges the blade holder toward the nozzle port forming surface, and the blade holder that is disposed when the carriage moves in a first direction. A first surface that slidably contacts the carriage and rotates the blade holder to separate the blade from the nozzle opening forming surface; and the carriage moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A blade cam having a second surface that slidably contacts the carriage and depresses the blade holder against the urging force of the blade spring to define an amount of interference between the blade and the nozzle opening forming surface; and the carriage A lock mechanism that restricts rotation of the blade holder when the blade moves in the second direction and the blade contacts the nozzle opening forming surface. Obtain.
[0010]
  It is preferable that a blade shaft for supporting the blade holder so as to float is provided, and the lock mechanism is a cam disposed on the blade shaft and a ratchet that comes into contact with the cam.
[0011]
  Also,The recording head is preferably provided with an ejection port array in parallel with the moving direction of the carriage.
[0012]
  Further, the wiping direction of the blade when wiping the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head by the blade is limited to one direction, and the phasing of the blade by the lock mechanism causes the blade to perform the wiping operation. After stopping near the execution position, the carriagebladeFrom the wiping retreat position for retreating frombladePass the neighborhood ofbladeScanning to the wiping preparation position located on the opposite side of the wiping retracting position side, and then scanning the carriage in the execution direction of the wiping operation,bladeThe locking mechanism and the carriage are preferably configured.
[0015]
Further, as the recording head, an ink jet recording type in which liquid is discharged by generation of bubbles generated by applying thermal energy to the liquid can be used.
[0016]
In the invention as described above, in the wiping means for cleaning the recording head by wiping the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head with the blade, the blade is rotatably supported by the supporting means and rotated in a predetermined direction by the driving means. However, the rotation mechanism in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction is restricted by a predetermined angle by the lock mechanism, thereby eliminating variations in the stop position of the blade for cleaning the recording head. it can. Therefore, even with a wiping means having a rotary blade that can be easily cleaned, the blade can be accurately stopped by the lock mechanism at the execution position of the wiping operation, and the blade can be fixed. Blade phasing can be performed. As a result, good wiping performance can be ensured stably. For example, a plurality of gears are used in a wiping means having a rotary blade. By using the blade locking mechanism in this way, there is no variation in the blade stop position due to variations in gear backlash and the like. . In addition, such a rotary wiping means can retract the blade when a carriage that has a recording head mounted thereon and moves back and forth is scanned from a direction other than a specified direction toward the wiping means. When scanning from the direction toward the wiping means, the blade can be accurately stopped at a predetermined position by the lock mechanism.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a main part of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment viewed from a direction different from FIG. is there.
[0019]
[overall structure]
The recording apparatus according to the present embodiment has two types of recording positions fixed to two types of recording media such as an envelope and continuous paper that can be cut in a timely manner, and continuously prints a predetermined print pattern on the recording media. Is detachably mounted on the recording apparatus main body for recording, and has a printing function.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording apparatus of the present embodiment includes a recording head unit 401 that performs recording by discharging ink that is a liquid, and a carriage 200 that moves the recording head unit 401 to a recording position and a standby position. A main tank 501 containing ink for supplying ink to the recording head unit 401, an ink supply system unit 10 for supplying ink in the main tank 501 to the recording head unit 401, and the recording head unit 401. It has a recovery system unit 300 for recovering problems, a frame unit 70 that houses the above units, a control board 80 that performs electrical control of recording by the recording head unit 401, and a power supply unit 90. .
[0021]
A plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are formed in the recording head unit 401. In this recording head unit 401, ink is generated from each nozzle by the generation of bubbles caused by applying thermal energy to the ink in each nozzle. Discharged. Recording is performed on the recording medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles of the recording head unit 401 toward the recording medium and attaching the ink to the recording medium.
[0022]
Between the recording spaces of the two types of recording media on the right side of the CR frame 201 in FIG. 1 on the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction, there is a discharge failure of the recording head provided in the recording head unit 401. A recovery system unit 300 for recovery is installed. Waste ink consumed to recover the recording head is discharged from a hole formed in the bottom plate 56 at a lower portion of the recovery system unit 300 to a waste ink tank in the recording apparatus main body.
[0023]
A control board 80 for controlling the recording operation and the system of the recording apparatus is fixed to the back side of the rear plate 53 of the box-shaped frame unit 70 at appropriate times. The control board 80 is covered with a cover (not shown) in a state where a connector for receiving a signal from the recording apparatus main body is exposed from the frame unit 70. Further, the cover has an opening for connecting a cable for sending a control signal of the control board 80 to the recording head unit 401 in the carriage 200 to the carriage 200 control board 80.
[0024]
The power supply unit 90 is fixed inside the frame unit 70 on the opposite side of the control board 80 with respect to the rear plate 90. A power receptacle in which the power supply unit 90 receives power from the outside is mounted in a square hole formed in the left side plate 54 and connected from the outside of the frame unit 70. The power supply unit 90 is connected to supply power to the control board 80 and the board on the carriage 200.
[0025]
Hereinafter, a detailed description of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
[0026]
[Frame unit]
First, the frame unit 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0027]
The bottom plate 56 is a sheet metal bent into an approximately L shape, and there are several parallel butting positions (not shown) on the bottom to maintain a constant distance on the left and right, and protruding positioning at both ends of the bottom. There are protrusions 56A and 56B and a plurality of threaded portions. The left side plate 54 and the right side plate 55 have positioning holes into which the positioning projections 56A and 56B are inserted. With the positioning protrusions 56A and 56B inserted into the positioning holes, the bottom plate 56 is screwed into the corresponding screw hole to the abutting position of the bottom plate, so that the bottom plate 56 is used as a central stay. The left and right plates 54 and 55 are assembled in parallel. The rear plate 53 located on the opposite side of the front surface portion 56C that rises in a substantially L shape is screwed to form an outer shell of a box-shaped recording device that opens upward.
[0028]
On the bottom of the bottom plate 56, a cylindrical foot 60A is attached by caulking, one at the front (left side in the drawing) and two at the rear, a total of three. The bottom plate 56 can be screwed and fixed to the recording apparatus main body by fitting the foot 60A to a screw protrusion (not shown) of the recording apparatus main body. Further, a long hole (not shown) is provided at the bottom, and positioning with the recording apparatus main body is performed in a pair with the front leg 60A.
[0029]
This recording apparatus has a space for conveying two types of recording media. One transport space has the following configuration. An L-angle resist plate 57 is screwed and fixed above the substantially L-shaped front portion (rising portion) 56C so as to straddle the left and right side plates 54 and 55. An envelope, which is a recording medium of the recording apparatus, is sandwiched between the upper surface of the envelope conveying belt of the recording apparatus main body and the lower surface of the resist plate 57, and from left to right in FIG. Be transported.
[0030]
The other transport space has the following configuration. In FIG. 2, the position connecting the indentation 54 </ b> A at the center of the left side plate 54 and the square window 55 </ b> A of the right side plate 55 is the installation position of the ridge that forms the continuous paper transport space. Although not shown, the ridges are installed in the continuous paper storage and the front end of the continuous paper transport unit equipped with the transport drive system. By inserting a positioning dowel formed at the tip of the ridge into the positioning hole 55B of the right side plate 55, the positions of the recording apparatus and the continuous paper transport unit are determined, and the ridge is screwed to the left side plate 54 to The continuous paper transport unit is integrated.
[0031]
[CR frame and carriage unit]
In the vicinity of the center between the left and right plates 54, 55, the CR frame 201 is fixed so as to stand upright on the bottom of the bottom plate 56. Insertion holes for the CR frame 201 are provided at equal positions in the abutting positions for assembling the left and right plates 54 and 55 in parallel, and above the substantially L-shaped front surface portion (rising portion) 56C of the bottom plate 56. A groove 53B that restricts the CR frame 201 in the vertical direction is formed in the upper part of the rear plate 53. The CR frame 201 stands upright from the bottom of the bottom plate 56 by the groove 53B. It should be noted that CR displayed in the part name indicates a member related to the carriage.
[0032]
A carriage 200 on which a recording head unit 401 for recording is mounted is mounted on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium on the right side of the CR frame 201, and is movable between the two conveyance spaces described above.
[0033]
[Ink supply system unit]
As shown in FIG. 1, on the left side of the CR frame 201, a plurality of large-capacity main tanks 501 are accommodated upstream of the recording medium in the transport direction, and ink is supplied to the liquid ejecting head unit 401 that ejects ink. There is an ink supply system unit 10 for the purpose. The ink supply system unit 10 stores a plurality of main tanks 501, a tank storage unit 11 having a function for deriving the ink in the main tank 501, and supplies the derived ink to the liquid ejecting head unit 401. And the sub tank unit 12. Ink is supplied from the ink supply system unit 10 to the recording head unit 401 mounted on the carriage 200 through the CR tube 226.
[0034]
[Tank compartment]
Next, the tank storage unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The tank holder 59 is a frame for storing and holding the main tank 501, and a portion serving as an insertion port for the main tank 501 opens upward. The tank storage portion 11 is formed in a U-shape, and one side surface is fixed to the left side plate 54 with a screw while the lower end is in contact with the bottom plate 56. A tank slot 27 is fitted in the upper opening, and the opening area is large at the main tank 501 insertion port, and the shape becomes narrower toward the storage portion and approaches the cross-sectional area of the main tank 501.
[0035]
[carriage]
Next, the configuration of the carriage 200 will be described in detail. 3 is a perspective view of the carriage unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carriage unit viewed from a direction different from FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the moving range of the carriage 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 6 is a side view showing the moving mechanism of the carriage 200. As shown in FIG.
[0036]
(Carriage holding frame)
The recording apparatus of this embodiment includes a carriage 200 that detachably holds a recording head unit 401. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the carriage 200 has a CR shaft 202 and a guide rail 203, which are fixed to the CR frame 201 at both ends and arranged parallel to each other, perpendicular to the conveying direction of the envelope and continuous paper, and The recording head unit 401 mounted on the carriage 200 is slidably supported along a direction parallel to the nozzle row. The carriage 200 is supported in such a posture that the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head unit 401 is substantially parallel to the recording surface of the recording medium (envelope and continuous paper) when the recording head unit 401 is mounted.
[0037]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a CR drive pulley 206 a that is rotationally driven by a CR motor 206 fixed to the CR frame 201, is slidable in a direction parallel to the CR shaft 202, and is attached to the CR frame 201. A carriage 200 is coupled to a part of a CR belt 208 that is looped between a rotatable idler pulley 207 that is fixed with two screws. By driving the CR motor 206, the CR belt 208 is rotated, and the carriage 200 reciprocates in the direction along the CR shaft 202 and the guide rail 203.
[0038]
As will be described separately in the section of the recovery system unit, the recovery system unit 300 is attached to the CR frame 201, and the variation in the distance between the recording head unit 401 mounted on the carriage 200 and the recovery system unit 300 is as small as possible. It is comprised so that it may become.
[0039]
(Carriage stop position)
As shown in FIG. 5, the recording apparatus of this embodiment has three stop positions of the carriage 200. First, a home position S is provided substantially at the center of the recording apparatus. At this home position S, a recovery system cap, which will be described later, moves up and down, and the nozzle portion of the head mounted on the carriage is covered with the cap.
[0040]
Further, there are printing positions on the front and rear sides of the home position S, and the front side of these two positions is the position T for printing on the envelope, and the back side is the position U for printing on the tape.
[0041]
(Carriage configuration: bearing)
As shown in FIG. 6, the carriage 200 slides along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the envelope and continuous paper and parallel to the nozzle row of the liquid ejecting head unit 401 mounted on the carriage 200. Two CR bearings 212 with which the CR shaft 202 is fitted are provided. The CR bearing 212 is fixed to the front part and the rear part of the left side surface of the carriage 200.
[0042]
The CR bearing 212 is made of a material that does not require grease, and prevents paper dust and ink mist from sticking to the CR shaft 202 and the CR bearing 212.
In addition, a CR slider 213 with good slidability, which is fixed so as to sandwich the guide rail 203, is fixed to the center upper portion of the CR bearing 212.
[0043]
As described above, the carriage 200 is supported at three points by the two CR bearings 212 located at the lower part and the one CR slider 213 located at the upper part.
[0044]
(Carriage configuration: HP sensor shielding plate)
As shown in FIG. 6, near the center of the left side surface of the carriage 200 and below the middle position between the fixed portions of the two CR bearings 212, a homepage sensor, which will be described later, is necessary for controlling the position of the carriage 200. The shielding plate 200a is attached.
[0045]
(Carriage configuration: CR belt fixing part)
As shown in FIG. 6, a fixing portion 200 b of the CR belt 208 is provided near the center of the left side surface of the carriage 200 and above the intermediate position between the fixing portions of the two CR bearings 212. The CR belt fixing portion 200b is configured so as to sandwich the CR belt 208, and the sandwiched portion is slightly narrower than the thickness of the belt, and the CR belt 208 is press-fitted and inserted into this portion. Without being fixed to the carriage 200. Since the CR belt 208 is thus fixed, the carriage 200 is moved by the CR motor 206.
[0046]
(Carriage configuration: substrate holder)
As shown in FIG. 4, a substrate such as a CR printed wiring board on which two CR connectors for exchanging signals with the liquid ejecting head unit 401 are mounted on the carriage 200.
[0047]
A CR printed wiring board is fixed vertically in the interior of the carriage 200 (the interior of the space in which the liquid ejecting head unit 401 is mounted). The CR connector mounted on the CR printed wiring board is fixed vertically and so as to face one surface of the liquid jet head unit 401. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the boards are covered with a CR printed wiring board cover 219.
[0048]
In addition, a flexible cable (hereinafter referred to as “FPC”) 220 is connected to the boards, and electrical signals and power are transmitted from a control board (not shown) outside the carriage 200. The FPC 220 is connected so as to extend to the outside of the carriage 200 through a gap between the carriage 200 and the CR printed wiring board cover 219, and the FPC stopper 221 attached to the carriage 200 and the CR printed wiring board cover 219 allows the CR printed wiring board to be extended. The cover 219 and the FPC stopper 221 are sandwiched and fixed. As a result, the FPC 220 is fixed so as not to come out even when a force is applied from the outside.
[0049]
The FPC 220 is connected to the control board of the printing apparatus main body, but when the carriage 200 moves, the interval between the carriage 200 and the control board of the printing apparatus main body varies. Therefore, the FPC 220 is slackened with a sufficient length, and this slackness prevents excessive stress from being applied to the FPC 220 regardless of the position where the carriage 200 moves.
[0050]
(Carriage control)
A photonic sensor type home position sensor (hereinafter referred to as “HP sensor”) (not shown) is attached to the CR frame 201. The HP sensor is disposed at the home position S described above. When the plate-shaped shielding plate 200a provided on the carriage 200 passes through the position of the HP sensor as shown in FIG. 6, the position of the carriage 200 can be detected by the HP sensor.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 5, a shaft 206b extends on the opposite side of the CR motor 206 from the CR drive pulley 206a side, and a disk-shaped encoder slit 210 is attached thereto. When the CR motor 206 is operated, the encoder slit 210 also rotates in synchronization. The encoder slit 210 has the same number of slits as the number of steps per rotation of the CR motor 206. In the case of this apparatus, since the CR motor 206 is a motor of 200 steps per rotation, 200 slits are cut in the encoder slit 210. The photonic sensor 211 is attached so as to sandwich the encoder slit 210. When the CR motor 206 is operated, the encoder slit 210 is rotated, so that the rotation of the CR motor 206 is sent from the photonic sensor 211 to the substrate as a signal. . As described above, since one step of the CR motor 206 corresponds to one slit of the encoder slit 210, when the CR motor 206 rotates by one step (in this case, one step is 1.8 ° from one step of 200 steps) The photonic sensor 211 detects one slit of the encoder slit 210 and sends a signal to the substrate. Therefore, by knowing the number of slits of the encoder 210 that has passed the sensing position of the photonic sensor 211, the rotation of the CR motor 206, that is, the moving distance of the carriage 200 can be accurately fed back.
[0052]
The movement of the CR motor 206 is controlled by a combination of the HP sensor, the encoder slit 210 and the photonic sensor 211. Next, the movement operation of the carriage 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0053]
First, in the initial state, when the HP sensor at the home position S is detecting the carriage 200 (ON state) (S1), the CR motor 206 is rotated in the forward direction and the CR motor 206 is rotated in one direction. Is moved in the direction T for printing on the envelope (S2). When the HP sensor no longer detects the carriage 200 (OFF state) (S3), the CR motor 206 is reversely rotated to move the carriage 200 in the home position S direction (S4). Then, after the carriage 200 is moved to a position where the edge of the shielding plate 200a of the carriage 200 blocks the HP sensor (HP sensor is in an ON state) (S5), the several pulse CR motor 206 is further driven (S6), and the home position. When the carriage 200 is positioned at the position S, the CR motor 206 is stopped there (S7). This completes the initial operation of the carriage 200. The number of pulses supplied to the CR motor 206 in step 6 (S6) is determined by the length of the shielding plate 200a of the carriage 200 and the positional relationship between the HP sensor and the home position S.
[0054]
On the other hand, when the HP sensor does not detect the carriage 200 in the initial state (OFF state) (S1), the CR motor 206 is reversely rotated to move the carriage 200 toward the position U (S8). When the HP sensor detects the carriage 200 (S9), step 6 (S6) and step 7 (S7) described above are performed thereafter.
[0055]
In step 8 (S8), even if the carriage 200 is moved by the movable distance L of the carriage 200 in this apparatus, if the HP sensor does not detect the carriage 200 (S9), the carriage 200 is further moved. (S10). When it is determined that the movement distance X of the carriage 200 is equal to or longer than the movable distance L of the carriage 200 (S11), the CR motor 206 is rotated forward (S12). Therefore, when the HP sensor detects the carriage 200 (S13), the above-described Step 6 (S6) and Step 7 (S7) are performed. If the HP sensor does not detect the carriage 200 in step 13 (S13), the CR motor 206 is stopped (S14) and an error message is displayed (S15).
[0056]
Next, the movement operation of the carriage 200 from the home position S to the printing position (envelope printing position T and tape printing position U) will be described.
[0057]
First, the CR motor 206 is driven so that the carriage 200 moves from the home position S toward the printing position, and when the shielding plate 200a of the carriage 200 does not block the HP sensor (in an OFF state where the HP sensor does not detect the carriage 200). The number of pulses of the CR motor 206 is counted from the encoder slit 210 and the photonic sensor 211 described above. When a predetermined number of pulses (corresponding to the distance to the envelope printing position or the tape printing position) is counted, the CR motor 206 is stopped. With this control, the carriage 200 always reaches the target printing position. In the unlikely event that the CR motor 206 steps out, or the carriage 200 is caught and stops moving, the user is warned as an error because the count number is insufficient.
[0058]
When moving from the printing position (envelope printing position T and tape printing position U) to the home position S, first, the CR motor 206 is driven so that the carriage 200 moves in the home position S direction, and the shielding plate 200a of the carriage 200 is moved. The carriage 200 is moved to a position where the edge blocks the HP sensor. Thereafter, the several-pulse CR motor 206 is further driven, and when the carriage 200 is positioned at the home position S, the several-pulse CR motor 206 is stopped to stop the carriage 200.
[0059]
(Carriage configuration: recovery system unit related part)
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the carriage 200. As shown in FIG. 8, holes 200 c through which the nozzles of the two recording head units 401 protrude are provided at the bottom of the bottom surface of the carriage 200, and CR blade ribs 200 d are formed on the left and right sides of the holes 200 c. Two are provided in parallel with the moving direction. The role of the CR blade rib 200d will be separately described in the item of the recovery system.
[0060]
A square hole 200e is formed in the right bottom surface portion of the carriage 200 on which the recording head unit 401 is mounted. A carriage lock arm of the recovery system unit 300 is inserted into the hole 200e. The hole 200e is a carriage caused by vibration of the entire recording apparatus or the like when the nozzle of the recording head unit 401 is covered with the cap of the recovery system unit 300. The movement of 200 is prevented. The details will be described separately in the item of the recovery unit.
[0061]
[Recovery unit]
Next, non-ejection or twist (ink in an abnormal direction) caused by dust adhering to the vicinity of the nozzles of the recording head unit 401 or drying or thickening of the ink adhering to the inside of the nozzle or the nozzle opening forming surface. The recovery system unit 300 provided in order to eliminate the deviation of the landing positions of the ink droplets ejected) will be described.
[0062]
The recovery performance unit 300 of the present embodiment has the following three discharge performance recovery means.
[0063]
The first is preliminary ejection means, which discharges ink from all nozzles in a region other than the recording medium, in this embodiment, a predetermined region provided in the recovery system unit 300 during non-recording. The thickened ink in or around the nozzle is discharged, or when multiple types of ink can be discharged in the same device, other types of ink that have entered the nozzle are discharged. Ink is sent to a waste ink tank.
[0064]
The second is a wiping means according to the present invention, which occurs when a mist that is ejected simultaneously with a main ink droplet ejected for recording, or when the main ink droplet lands on a recording medium such as recording paper. It is provided to remove the ink and the like adhering to the nozzle opening forming surface by the bounce mist or the suction recovery process described later, and is composed of a blade or the like made of an elastic member such as rubber.
[0065]
The third is suction recovery means. This is because a member made of an elastic material such as a rubber called a cap is brought into contact with the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head unit 401 and brought into close contact therewith, and the pressure inside the cap is reduced to an atmospheric pressure or less by the pump means, so The ink is forcibly discharged, and the ink flow eliminates discharge obstructing elements such as dust, dry ink, and bubbles in the nozzle. Thereafter, the sucked ink is sent to a waste ink tank for processing.
[0066]
Next, the configuration of the recovery system unit 300 in this embodiment will be described in detail.
[0067]
FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the recovery system unit 300. The recovery system unit 300 is fixed to a CR frame 201 provided with a carriage scanning guide member such as a CR shaft 202 inserted through the carriage 200 described above. Therefore, the relative position of the recovery system unit 300 with respect to the carriage 200 and the recording head unit 401 is ensured with high accuracy.
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 9, the preliminary ejection port (preliminary ejection receiving port) 301 is configured to have a size shorter than the total nozzle row length of the recording head unit 401 in the nozzle row direction of the recording head unit 401. This is because the preliminary discharge of all the nozzles is realized by dividing the nozzle row and performing the preliminary discharge one by one sequentially instead of performing the preliminary discharge simultaneously with all the nozzles. Miniaturization of the system unit 300 is achieved. Further, in the present embodiment, so-called flow preliminary discharge, in which discharge is performed while the carriage 200 is scanned, is employed in order to avoid an increase in preliminary discharge processing time due to divided preliminary discharge. In the preliminary discharge port 301, a preliminary discharge absorber 302 made of a resin porous member is disposed so that the discharged ink can be retained and recovered without leaving the ink by a preliminary discharge port empty suction process described later. It is installed.
[0069]
The blades 303 constituting the wiping means are made of a flat plate made of an elastic material such as rubber, and one blade 303 is provided for each of the two recording head units 401.
This is because the influence of the height deviation of the nozzle port forming surfaces of the two recording head units 401 is eliminated or the types of ink ejected by the two recording head units 401 are different from those of the integrated configuration. This is because the effect of preventing a problem that the respective inks are mixed is high. As will be described later, by wiping the nozzle port forming surface of the recording head unit 401 with the blade 303, a so-called wiping operation is performed in which the nozzle port forming surface is cleaned by the blade 303.
[0070]
The blade 303 is fixed to the blade holder 304, and the blade holder 304 moves upward (arrow A) with respect to the blade shaft 305 integrated with the blade gear 305a via a blade spring described later.₃₀₁Direction). Further, the blade shaft 305 is moved to an arrow A by a blade driving means described later.₃₀₂Since the blade 303 engaged with the blade 303 is configured to be rotatable in the direction, the blade A is driven by the arrow A by the blade driving means similarly to the blade shaft 305.₃₀₂It is possible to rotate in the direction. Accordingly, the support means for rotatably supporting the blade 303 includes a blade holder 304, a blade shaft 305, a member that supports the blade shaft 305, and the like.
[0071]
A phase cam 391 that is a cam for phasing according to the present invention is provided at the end of the blade shaft 305, and the phase cam 391 is a metal leaf spring provided on the base member of the recovery system unit 300. It is comprised so that engagement with the ratchet 393 which consists of this is possible. The phase cam 391 includes an arrow A of the phase cam 391 as will be described later.₃₀₂A positioning portion 391B that engages with the ratchet 393 is formed so as to restrict the rotational movement in the direction opposite to the direction. By the ratchet mechanism comprising the phase cam 391 and the ratchet 393, the arrow A of the blade 303 is shown.₃₀₂A lock mechanism that restricts rotational movement in a direction opposite to the direction is configured. This locking mechanism is for fixing the blade 303 by restricting the rotational operation of the blade 303 at a phase where the blade 303 can clean the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head unit 401.
[0072]
Further, the blade holder 304 is integrally provided with a blade cam 306 having three inclined surfaces 306a, 306b, and 306c as cam surfaces as will be described later. The carriage 200 moves over the wiping means with an arrow A₃₀₃The CR blade rib 200d on the carriage 202 slidably contacts the inclined surface 305c when scanning in the direction, and the blade cam 306, the blade holder 304, and the blade 303 are elastically pushed down by the carriage 200. The wiping can be executed while the overlap amount (hereinafter referred to as the interference amount) 401 with the nozzle opening forming surface 401 is ensured with high accuracy. As a result, a stable amount of interference of the blade 303 with the recording head unit 401 can be ensured regardless of the height attachment position error between the recording head unit 401 and the recovery system unit 300, and good wiping is always performed. It is possible. Also, a blade cleaner 307 is provided in the vicinity of the blade 303 for scraping off ink adhering to the blade 303 from the blade 303.
[0073]
In this embodiment, a cap 308 formed of an elastic member such as rubber, a cap absorber 309 made of a porous material provided in the cap 308, a cap holder 310 for holding the cap 308, The cap holder 310 is moved by the arrow A through the illustrated cap spring.₃₀₄The recovery system unit 300 is provided with a cap lever 311 configured to be biased in the direction and movable up and down so that the cap 308 can be opened or closed by a cap lever cam described later. Note that the conveyance direction of each of the envelope 312 and the continuous paper (tape) 313 that are recording media is indicated by an arrow A.₃₀₅, A₃₀₆Direction. The carriage lock arm 390 engages with a hole (not shown) provided in the carriage 200 when capping is performed, that is, when the cap lever 311 is raised, and the carriage 200 is fixed. This is a member for preventing the positions of the unit 401 and the cap 308 from shifting. The carriage lock arm 390 is provided with a lock spring (not shown) between the cap lever 311 and the arrow A.₃₉₀It is configured to be capable of elastically descending in the direction. Therefore, even if the carriage lock arm 390 comes into contact with a portion other than the hole portion of the carriage 200, the recovery system unit 300 and the carriage 200 are not damaged.
[0074]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the drive system of the recovery system unit 300.
[0075]
As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, as a drive system of the recovery system unit 300, a recovery system drive dedicated motor 370 having a gear fixed to a rotating shaft, and a first speed reduction gear that is the next gear of the motor 370. Are fixed to the pump shaft 373, and an idler gear 372 that is engaged with the first double gear 371 and rotatable about a pump shaft 373 for driving a tube pump (not shown). In addition, a pump cam 374 (shown by hatching in FIG. 10) having a notch 374a that engages with a rib 372a provided on the idler gear 372 is provided. A play corresponding to a rotation angle of 55 degrees is provided between the rib 372a and the notch 374a. A second double gear 375 is engaged with the idler gear 372, and a one-way clutch 376 is engaged with the second double gear 375. The one-way clutch 376 is indicated by an arrow A in FIG.₃₈₀This is a gear-integrated clutch that generates a tightening torque with respect to a cam shaft, which will be described later, only when it rotates in the direction.
[0076]
Next, the operation of the wiping means will be described with reference to FIGS. The wiping means is provided with a blade intermittent gear 351 that engages with the blade gear 305a, a blade trigger gear 352 that engages with the blade intermittent gear 351, a blade cleaner 307, and a blade spring 353 as an elastic body. As described above, the carriage 200 is provided with the CR blade rib 200d. The blade spring 353 is for attaching the blade holder 304 and the blade 303 to the blade shaft 305 constituting the wiping means so as to be elastically floatable. When the recording head unit 401 is cleaned by the blade 303, the blade 303 is biased toward the carriage 200 or the recording head unit 401 by the blade spring 353.
[0077]
As shown in FIG. 12, one side of the blade cleaner 307 is a wiping retreat position where the carriage 200 is disposed to retreat the recording head unit 401 from the wiping means. As shown in FIG. 13, the carriage 200 passes over the wiping means 200, that is, in the vicinity of the wiping means, and is opposite to the other side of the blade cleaner 307, that is, the wiping retreat position side of the wiping means as shown in FIG. It is made to scan to the wiping preparation position located in the side. Accordingly, the carriage 200 is scanned from the wiping retracted position to the wiping preparation position with the position closest to the wiping means in the movement path as a boundary. Then, the carriage 200 in the wiping preparation position is scanned in the direction toward the wiping means, that is, the wiping operation execution direction, as shown in FIG. 14, in order to execute the wiping operation. Next, the wiping operation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0078]
In the wiping operation, the carriage 200 is moved to the carriage retracted position shown in FIG. 12, and then the blade cam 306 and the blade 303 are moved from the state of FIG. 11 in the blade retracted state to the position of FIG.₃₁₄And the tip of the blade 303 is inclined upward, and the wiping preparation state immediately before the ratchet 393 engages with the positioning portion 391B of the phase cam 391 is set. Accordingly, in the state shown in FIG. 12, the blade 303 is stopped in the vicinity of the execution position before the execution position of the wiping operation.
[0079]
Then, when the carriage 200 in the wiping retracted position is scanned in the left direction (envelope position direction) in FIG. 12 as shown in FIG. 12, the blade holder 304 is provided in the blade rotation drive gear train as shown in FIG. The blade spring 353 is bent while being rotated by the backlash, and the carriage 200 is moved while the inclined surface 306a formed on the blade cam 306 and the CR blade rib 200d are in sliding contact with each other. As a result, the positions of the blade cam 306 and the blade 303 are fixed, and the carriage 200 is moved to the wiping preparation position without the blade 303 coming into contact with the recording head unit 401. Therefore, when the inclined surface 306a of the blade cam 306 is slidably contacted with the CR blade rib 200d surface of the carriage 200 when the carriage 200 is moved from the wiping retracted position to the wiping preparation position, the blade 303 is retracted from the recording head unit 401. It is a cam surface for.
[0080]
Further, as the blade holder 304 rotates, the tip of the ratchet 393 gets over the positioning portion 391B of the blade positioning phase cam 391 as shown in FIG. 13, and enters the state shown in FIG.
[0081]
Subsequently, the carriage 200 is scanned in the reverse direction (wiping execution direction) as shown in FIG. 14 to execute wiping. At this time, the blade holder 304 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 14 and 15, and the positioning portion 391B of the phase cam 391 and the tip of the ratchet 393 come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. Are positioned and fixed. Further, the slope (horizontal plane) 306c of the blade cam 306 is pushed down by the CR blade rib 200d on the carriage 200, and the wiping means is lowered from the dotted line position to the solid line position in FIG. The lowered blade holder 304 and blade 303 are urged upward by a blade spring 353, and the nozzle port forming surface of the recording head unit 401 is wiped while the inclined surface 306c of the blade cam 306 is in sliding contact with the CR blade rib 200d. Done. As a result, the blade interference amount A of the blade 303 to the recording head unit 401 as shown in FIG.₃₁₆Is ensured with high accuracy, and good wiping can always be stably performed by the blade 303. Accordingly, the inclined surface 306c of the blade cam 306 becomes a cam surface that defines the amount of interference of the blade 303 with the recording head unit 401 by slidingly contacting the surface of the CR blade rib 200d of the carriage 200 when performing the wiping operation. ing.
[0082]
When the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head unit 401 moves away from the blade 303, the wiping is finished, and then the motor is driven and the wiping means starts to rotate again. The blade 303 scrapes off the adhered ink with the blade cleaner 307. After that, it stops in the state shown in FIG. The amount of interference A between the blade cleaner 307 and the blade 303 at this time.₃₁₇Is the amount of interference A between the blade 303 and the recording head unit 401.₃₁₆The ink has a larger value, and the ink attached to the blade 303 can be reliably removed.
[0083]
The blade cleaner 307 is provided at a position where ink splashed from the blade 303 during cleaning of the blade 303 does not fly to a member such as a cap that does not like ink adhesion, that is, in the lower part of the blade 303 in this embodiment. . Further, the blade cleaner 307 also serves as a container for storing ink scraped off from the blade 303, and can be easily replaced as necessary. Therefore, even when dry ink adhering to the blade 303 is redissolved or so-called wet wiping is performed, in which wiping is performed while discharging is performed when ink with high viscosity such as pigment-based ink is mainly used. The ink dripping from the blade 303 can be collected without flowing around to other parts in the apparatus.
[0084]
Next, the drive system of the wiping means will be described. In FIG. 11, among the teeth of the blade intermittent gear 351, the teeth 354a shown by shading are engaged only with the teeth 354b of the blade trigger gear 352 shown by shading, and among the teeth of the blade intermittent gear 351, The teeth 355a shown without hooking are configured to engage only with the teeth 355b shown without shading among the teeth of the blade trigger gear 352.
[0085]
Therefore, while the disk portion occupying most of the non-shaded teeth 355b of the blade trigger gear 352 is engaged with the blade intermittent gear 351, the blade intermittent gear 351 stops and cannot rotate. The wiping means is stopped when the blade 303 faces downward, that is, in a non-operating state. On the other hand, when the blade trigger gear 352 rotates, the gears mesh with each other, and the wiping means is shown by the arrow A in FIG.₃₁₄Rotate in the direction. When the wiping means rotates 360 degrees, the state again returns to the state shown in FIG.
[0086]
In this embodiment, the blade trigger gear 352 is fixed to the same shaft (hereinafter referred to as a cam shaft) as a cap lever cam for moving the cap up and down, and the blade intermittent gear 351 is a blade trigger. While the gear 352 rotates 360 degrees, it engages and rotates only during a rotation angle of 45 degrees in a predetermined phase, and the blade intermittent gear 351 has a speed increasing ratio 8 times that of the blade trigger gear 352. is doing. That is, while the camshaft rotates 360 degrees, the wiping means is configured to continuously rotate 360 degrees while rotating only 45 degrees in a certain phase, and while the camshaft rotates the remaining 315 degrees, the blade 303 Is stopped with its tip facing downward. In this way, the blade is always stopped except during wiping, and the wiping surface (the surface in contact with the nozzle opening forming surface) faces in the opposite direction to the envelope conveyance area and the preliminary discharge area. On the other hand, it is possible to minimize the adhesion of flying paper powder, ink mist, and other dust.
[0087]
Next, referring to FIG. 17 showing a cam chart, FIG. 18 which is a flowchart showing print processing (recording processing), and FIG. 19 which is a flowchart showing wiping processing, the recovery system unit 300 related to wiping is described. The processing operation will be described. In the following description, the numbers with circles indicate the cam positions shown in FIG.
[0088]
First, the operation of the recovery system unit 300 during recording will be described.
[0089]
When the recording command is received (S301), the motor 370 shown in FIG. 10 starts to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 10 (S302), the camshaft is rotated, and the cap 308 is opened (1). Then, the preliminary ejection process is executed (S303).
[0090]
In the preliminary discharge process, the carriage 200 is moved to the preliminary discharge preparation position, and then the preliminary discharge is executed by sequentially flowing from the nozzle block on the side close to the blade 303. When the preliminary discharge is completed for all the nozzles, the discharge and the movement of the carriage 200 are stopped, and the preliminary discharge process is ended. In addition, it is not always necessary to discharge ink while scanning the carriage 200 in the preliminary flow discharge, and the discharge may be performed in the stopped state while stopping intermittently.
[0091]
Next, in FIG. 18, the carriage 200 is moved to the recording position of either the envelope or continuous paper (tape) recording medium (S304), the timer T is reset to 0, and then the count is started (S305). . Ink is ejected to the recording medium that has been conveyed in accordance with the recording information, and recording is performed on the recording medium (S306). Next, if there is no recording command (S307), the process proceeds to the wiping process (S311). If there is a recording command (S307), the timer T is referred to (S308). If the timer T is 60 sec or less, the process returns to step 306 to perform recording again. If the timer T is 60 sec or more, in order to wipe off ink adhering to the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head unit 401, FIG. The wiping process shown in FIG.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 19, in the wiping process, the carriage 200 is moved to the wiping retracted position (S331). Subsequently, the motor is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (S332), and the wiping as shown in FIG. 12 is possible from the state (1) to the state (2), that is, the tip of the blade 303 is directed downward. The state is shifted to a state facing upward. Next, the carriage 200 is moved to the wiping preparation position (S333) to obtain the state shown in FIG. Next, the carriage 200 is scanned to perform wiping (S334). The scanning speed of the carriage 200 at this time is not necessarily constant, and may be changed according to, for example, the type of ink. After the entire area of the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head unit 401 is wiped by the blade 303, the carriage 200 stops, and then the motor is rotated to store the wiping means in the state (3), that is, the blade is directed downward. The state is set (S335), and the wiping process is terminated.
[0093]
Next, in FIG. 18, a preliminary discharge process is executed to discharge dry ink or different types of ink that may have been pushed into the nozzles of the recording head unit 401 by the wiping process (S310). . When there is no recording command, a wiping process is executed as an end operation of the recording process in step 311 to remove the ink on the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head unit 401, and then the ink accumulated in the preliminary discharge port is discarded (not shown). In order to discharge the ink to the ink processing means, preliminary ejection empty suction processing is executed (S312).
[0094]
In the preliminary discharge port empty suction process, the motor is rotated counterclockwise to the state (3). Subsequently, the pump is driven by rotating the motor clockwise by a predetermined rotation angle, the ink in the preliminary discharge port is discharged to the waste ink absorber through the pump tube, and the preliminary discharge port empty suction processing is completed. The predetermined rotation angle is an angle at which the amount of ink remaining in the preliminary discharge port or the tube can be reliably reduced to an amount that does not cause a problem with respect to the liquid ejecting head unit 401 or the recovery system unit 300.
[0095]
Next, in FIG. 18, the carriage 200 is moved to the home position S, that is, the capping position (S313), and the motor is rotated counterclockwise to the state (4), that is, the capping state (S314). finish.
[0096]
The cap cam sensor shown in FIG. 17 is constituted by a photo interrupter using a cap cam (not shown) fixed to the cam shaft as a flag, and the cam fixed to the cam shaft based on the detection result. It is a sensor that can detect the phase of. Here, the detection timing of the cap cam sensor is set immediately before cap opening and cap closing. This is because when the cap is opened, the cam follower integrated with the cap lever 311 has a force to turn the cap lever cam of the cap lever 311 by the action of the cap spring having a total spring force of about 800 gf in this embodiment. The cap lever cam may overrun in the direction of idling of the one-way clutch, causing a phase shift. Conversely, when the cap is closed, the cam shaft is subjected to the largest load and is composed of a stepping motor. This is because there is a risk that the motor for driving the recovery system unit will step out, and it is set to always control the cam with the correct phase by correcting the phase shift caused by these.
[0097]
In this embodiment, the blade holder 304 is configured to float with respect to the blade shaft 305 by a spring. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration, and the blade holder 304 is fixed to the blade shaft 305. May be.
[0098]
Further, the play area in the rotational direction of the blade holder 304 is not necessarily constituted by a gear backlash. For example, the play area may be configured by providing an appropriate amount of clearance between the blade shaft 305 and the blade holder 304. good. Furthermore, the blade shaft 305 itself may be configured by a coil spring, so that the blade holder support portion can be rotated by a predetermined amount with respect to the gear portion.
[0099]
As described above, in the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, the wiping unit that cleans the recording head by wiping the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head unit 401 with the blade 303 is rotatably supported by the support unit and driven. The blade 303 rotated in a predetermined direction by the means is configured such that the rotation operation in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction is restricted by a predetermined angle by the lock mechanism including the phase cam 391 and the ratchet 393. Thus, by providing the rotary wiping means with the lock mechanism for fixing the blade 303, it is possible to eliminate variations in the stop position of the blade 303 for cleaning the recording head unit 401. Accordingly, even with a rotary wiping means that can easily clean the blade 303, the blade 303 can be accurately stopped by the lock mechanism at the execution position of the wiping operation, and the blade 303 can be fixed. The phase of the blade 303 can be determined. As a result, good wiping performance can be ensured stably.
[0100]
For example, a plurality of gears are used in a wiping means having a rotary blade, but by using a locking mechanism for the blade 303 in this way, the stop position of the blade 303 varies due to variations in gear backlash and the like. Disappears. Also, with such a rotary wiping means, the blade 303 can be retracted when the carriage 200 that is mounted on the recording head unit 401 and moves back and forth is scanned from a direction other than the designated direction. When the carriage 200 is scanned from the specified direction toward the wiping means, the blade 303 can be accurately stopped at a predetermined position by the lock mechanism.
[0101]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the printer device of the present invention, the wiping means having the rotary blade is provided with the lock mechanism for fixing the blade at a predetermined angle, so that the rotary device can be rotated with a simple configuration. Therefore, there is an effect that the phasing of the blades can be surely ensured, and good wiping performance can be secured stably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a main part of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment as viewed from a direction different from that in FIG.
3 is a perspective view of the carriage unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
4 is a perspective view of the carriage unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as seen from a direction different from FIG. 3. FIG.
5 is a plan view showing a moving range of the carriage shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
6 is a side view showing a moving mechanism of the carriage shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a carriage movement operation.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the carriage.
FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a recovery system unit.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a drive system of a recovery system unit.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of a wiping means of a recovery system unit.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of a wiping means of a recovery system unit.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of the wiping means of the recovery system unit.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of the wiping means of the recovery system unit.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of the wiping means of the recovery system unit.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of a wiping means of a recovery system unit.
FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the operation of each member interlocked with the cam.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating print processing.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a wiping process.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Ink supply system unit
11 Tank storage
12 Sub tank unit
27 Tank slot
53 Rear plate
53B Groove
54 Left side plate
54A dent
55 Right side plate
55A square window
55B Positioning hole
56 Bottom plate
56A, 56B Positioning protrusion
56C Front part
57 resist plate
59 Tank holder
60A feet
70 frame unit
80 Control board
90 Power supply unit
200 Carriage
200a Shield plate
200b fixed part
200c hole
200d CR blade rib
200e hole
201 CR frame
202 CR shaft
203 Guide rail
206 CR motor
206a CR drive pulley
206b Shaft
207 idler pulley
208 CR belt
210 Encoder slit
211 Photonic sensor
212 CR bearing
213 CR slider
219 CR printed wiring board cover
220 Flexible cable
221 Flexible cable stopper
226 CR tube
300 recovery unit
301 Pre-discharge port
302 Pre-discharge absorber
303 blade
304 Blade holder
305 Blade shaft
305a Blade gear
306 Blade cam
306a, 306b, 306c Slope
307 Blade cleaner
308 cap
309 Cap absorber
310 Cap holder
311 Cap lever
312 envelope
313 Continuous paper
351 Blade intermittent gear
352 Blade trigger gear
353 Blade Spring
354a, 354b, 355a, 355b teeth
370 motor
371 First double gear
372 idler gear
372a rib
373 pump shaft
374 pump cam
374a Notch
375 Second double gear
376 one-way clutch
390 Carriage lock arm
391 Phase cam
391B Positioning part
393 Ratchet
401 Recording head unit
501 Main tank
S Home position
T, U position

Claims (3)

A recording head for recording on a recording medium by ejecting Roh nozzle or et liquid body,
A carriage that moves with the recording head mounted thereon;
A blade for cleaning the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head ;
A blade holder for supporting the blade;
A blade spring that urges the blade holder toward the nozzle opening forming surface;
A first surface disposed on the blade holder, wherein the first surface separates the blade from the nozzle opening forming surface by rotating the blade holder in sliding contact with the carriage when the carriage moves in a first direction; When the carriage moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the blade and the nozzle port forming surface are slidably contacted with the carriage and the blade holder is pushed down against the urging force of the blade spring. A blade cam having a second surface that defines the amount of interference of
A recording apparatus comprising: a lock mechanism that restricts rotation of the blade holder when the carriage moves in the second direction and the blade comes into contact with the nozzle port forming surface . The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a blade shaft that supports the blade holder in a floatable manner, wherein the lock mechanism is a cam disposed on the blade shaft and a ratchet that contacts the cam. . The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is provided with an ejection port array in parallel with a moving direction of the carriage .

Images