JPH0467953A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an ink jet recording device which can prevent the cleaning member from being damaged by providing a protective member, for which a tilted surface to tilt from a discharge surface to the opposite surface direction is formed, on a carriage. CONSTITUTION:For two protective members 13, 14, a tilted surface which tilts from a discharge surface 1f to the opposite direction is formed, and the tilted surface is formed of a curved surface of a curvature radius R which is larger than an overlap amount L between a wiper 11, scraping member 12 and a recording head 1. When the recording head 1 loaded on a carriage 2 gives reciprocating movement, the tilted surface of the protective member 13 or 14 comes into contact with the wiper 11 and scraping member 12, and they are respectively guided to the discharge surface 1f of the recording head 1 by the tilted surface, and the wiper 11 and scraping member 12 are prevented from hitting the corner of the recording head 1, and cleaning can be performed assuredly without damaging cleaning members. As the result, the cleaning members can be prevented from being damaged, and speed-up and high picture quality can be realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus used as a copying machine, facsimile, computer, word processor, or a composite device thereof.

[Prior Art 1] FIG. 7 shows a recording head and a carriage of a conventional ink jet recording apparatus.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 51 indicates a recording head 51 having a plurality of ejection ports 51a for ejecting ink.
is mounted on a carriage 52 and performs printing by discharging ink while reciprocating in the main scanning direction in the direction of arrow S together with the carriage 52. Recording head 51
The ejection surface (the surface including the ejection port 51a) protrudes from the carriage 52.

FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the recording head and carriage shown in FIG. 7 and the cleaning member.

In FIG. 8, 53 is a wiper provided as a cleaning member to ensure ejection stability of the recording head 51. The wiper 53 has a wall thickness of 0.3, for example.
It is made up of a silicone rubber plate with a diameter of 1.0 mm, and is fixed to the recording head 51 so as to always overlap (overlap measurement is, for example, 1.0 mm). As a result, when the recording head 51 mounted on the carriage 52 passes in front of the wiper 53, the ejection surface of the recording head 51 is always wiped, so paper powder, dust, ink scum, etc. that adhere to the ejection surface are removed. be done.

54 is another cleaning member that cleans the recording head 51.
This is a rubbing member provided to ensure discharge stability. The rubbing member 54 is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow C by a moving mechanism (not shown), and moves so as to overlap the recording head 51 during the cleaning operation of the recording head 5I. During the cleaning operation of the recording head 51, when the recording head 51 mounted on the carriage 52 passes in front of the rubbing member 54, the ejection surface of the recording head 5I is rubbed by the rubbing member 54, and the ink adhering to the ejection surface is removed. , stuck objects, etc. are removed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] The above conventional technology has the following problems and ranges.

Since the ejection surface of the print head protrudes, a wiper or a rubbing member serving as a cleaning member cleans the ejection surface of the print head after colliding with the protruding corner of the print head. As the carriage moves at higher speeds due to faster recording speeds, the corner of the recording head collides with the cleaning member at high speed, which may cause wear or abrasion of the cleaning member, resulting in damage. be. Further, as the quality of recorded images increases, ejection stability of the recording head is required, and as a result, the frequency of use of the cleaning member increases, which may result in damage to the cleaning member.

If the cleaning member is damaged due to the above causes, dust may form and enter the ejection port of the print head, clogging the ejection port, causing ejection failure, or the edges of the cleaning member may become jagged, causing It does not hit the ejection surface of the head evenly, resulting in insufficient cleaning.

The present invention was made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to increase the moving speed of the carriage,
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that can prevent damage to the cleaning member even if the cleaning member is used more frequently.

[Means for Solving the Problems] An inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a cleaning member that cleans the ejection surface of the recording head by moving relative to the recording head mounted on a carriage, wherein the cleaning member comprises: The carriage is characterized in that a protective member is provided on the carriage and has an inclined surface inclined from the ejection surface in a direction opposite to the ejection surface for guiding the member to the ejection surface of the recording head.

The inclined surface formed on the protection member can be a curved surface with a radius of curvature larger than the amount of overlap between the cleaning member and the recording head.

It is more effective to provide an ink absorber between the recording head and the protective member.

The recording head uses thermal energy to eject ink from the ejection ports, and may include an electrothermal transducer as a means for generating thermal energy.

[Function] Since the protective member is formed with an inclined surface that is inclined in a direction opposite to the ejection surface of the recording head, when cleaning the cleaning member, the cleaning member is guided to the ejection surface of the recording head by the inclined surface. . Therefore, the cleaning member does not collide with the corner of the recording head, and damage to the leaning member as in the prior art is prevented.

Furthermore, since the protective member is provided on the carriage, it prevents impact from being applied to the recording head when guiding the cleaning member.

[Example 1 Next, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, in which a carriage cover 15 to be described later is shown.
(See Figure 2) is shown in a state where it has been removed.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording head, and the recording head 1 is composed of a head 40 shown in FIG. The head 40 has a plurality of discharge ports 41 arranged in a row.
In order to eject the recording liquid from the recording liquid, an electrothermal transducer 42 that generates thermal energy to which an applied voltage is applied is arranged for each liquid path. By applying a drive signal, the electrothermal converter 42 generates thermal energy to cause film boiling and form bubbles in the ink liquid path. As the bubbles grow, ink droplets are ejected from the ejection port 41.

The recording head l is mounted on a carriage 2 that is slidably supported on a carriage shaft 3, and is driven by a carriage motor (
(not shown) moves the carriage 2 along with the arrow S.
The recording medium 4 is recorded by reciprocating in the main scanning direction. A plurality of feed rollers 5 are arranged parallel to the carriage shaft 3, and the feed rollers 5 are driven by the driving force of the feed motor 6 transmitted through a transmission mechanism 68 to bring the recording medium 4 into a recording state. Transport accordingly. The feed motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 6a are arranged at positions where the recording head 1 and the carriage 2 are moved during the cleaning operation of the recording head 1, outside the range of reciprocating movement of the recording head 1 and the carriage 2 during the recording operation. has been done. Moreover, the feed motor 6 is
When an automatic paper feeder (not shown) is attached to the inkjet recording apparatus, it is also used as a drive source for the automatic paper feeder.

7 is a cap carriage, and the cap carriage 7 has a guide shaft 8 disposed parallel to the carriage shaft 3.
The recording head I and the carriage 2 can be reciprocated in a direction parallel to the movement direction of the recording head I and the carriage 2 while being guided by the guide shaft 8. The cap carriage 7 has an arm portion 7a projecting from it, and a hole 7b into which a protrusion 2a provided on the left side of the carriage 2 in the figure can be inserted is formed at the tip of the arm portion 7a. This hole 7b prevents the carriage 2 from rotating in the vertical direction when the recording head l and the carriage 2 move to the left in the figure and the protrusion 2a is inserted into the ejection surface of the recording head 1. It is formed to stably perform capping, pressurization, suction, etc.

A wiper 11 is provided as a cleaning member to ensure ejection stability of the recording head 1. The wiper 11 is made of, for example, a silicone rubber plate with a wall thickness of 0.3 mm, and is configured to be a cleaning member for the recording head l. It is fixed so that there is always an overlap (overlap measurement is, for example, 1.0 mm) (see Fig. 3). As a result, when the recording head 1 mounted on the carriage 2 passes in front of the wiper 11, the ejection surface of the recording head I is always wiped, thereby removing paper powder, dust, ink scum, etc. that adhere to the ejection surface. be done.

12 is a rubbing member provided as another cleaning member to ensure the ejection stability of the recording head 1, and the rubbing member 12 is moved by an arrow C by a moving mechanism (not shown).
It is configured to be movable in the direction (μs in FIG. 3), and moves so as to overlap the recording head 1 (the amount of overlap is the same as that of the wiper 11) during the cleaning operation of the recording head 1. The recording head 1
During the cleaning operation, when the recording head l mounted on the carriage 2 passes in front of the rubbing member 12, the ejection surface of the recording head l is rubbed by the rubbing member 12, and the ink, adhered substances, etc. that have adhered to the ejection surface are removed. is removed.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the recording head IJ and carriage 2 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the recording head 1 of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the carriage 2 and the cleaning member.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 with its ejection surface If protruding from a carriage surface 2f, which is a surface of the carriage 2 in the same direction.

13.14 are two protective members provided on the carriage 2, and these two protective members 13.14 protect the wiper 11 and the rubbing member 12 from the ejection of the recording head l, as shown in FIG. The discharge surface 1f for guiding to the surface If
An inclined surface is formed which is inclined from the discharge surface toward the opposite direction.

In this embodiment, the inclined surface is formed of a curved surface having a radius of curvature R larger than the amount of overlap between the wiper 11 and the rubbing member 12 and the recording head 1. The recording head 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is usually
Carriage cover 1 that presses against the top surface and left and right sides of the
5 and is sufficiently firmly fixed to the carriage 2.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be explained.

As described above, the wiper 11 is fixed so as to always overlap the recording head 1. Further, during the cleaning operation of the recording head 1, the rubbing member I2 moves so as to overlap with the recording head 1, and in this state, as shown in the third section of FIG.
When the recording head 1 mounted on the carriage 2 reciprocates in the direction of arrow S, first, the slope in f of the protection member 13 or 14 comes into contact with the wiper 11 and the rubbing member 12 . The wiper 11J and the rubbing member 12 are each guided to the ejection surface If of the recording head 1 by the inclined surface of the abutting protection member 13 or 14.
The rubbing member 12 is prevented from colliding with the corners of the recording head 1, and cleaning can be performed reliably without damage. In this embodiment, since the inclined surface is a curved surface having the radius of curvature R, guiding is performed smoothly.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

In the second embodiment, the protection member 13.14 of the first embodiment is
Instead, protective members 23, 24 whose inclined surfaces are flat are provided. This makes it easier to process sloped surfaces,
Processing costs can be reduced.

Since everything other than h is the same as the first embodiment, the explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention.

In the third embodiment, the protective member 13.14 of the first embodiment is
Instead, protective members 33 and 34 are provided having gaps between them and the recording head l, and ink absorbers 3 are provided in the gaps.
5 is provided.

Each ink absorber 35 absorbs ink adhering to the wiper 11 and the rubbing member 12, thereby making cleaning more reliable. Each ink absorber 35 is connected to the ejection surface 1 of the recording head l.
It is desirable that the distal end surface not protrude beyond f, and that the tip surface be approximately at the same level as the ejection surface.

Further, the size of each ink absorber 35 may be appropriately determined depending on the ink absorption capacity, the number of times of cleaning, the interval, etc.

In each of the embodiments described above, a wiper and a rubbing member are provided as the cleaning member, but the same effect can be obtained even if the cleaning member is provided with either one of them.

Further, in each embodiment, the amount of overlap between the wiper and the rubbing member is equal, but in the first and third embodiments, when the amount of overlap of either one is large, protection is applied according to the amount of overlap of the larger one. What is necessary is to determine the radius of curvature of the member.

In addition, although we have explained the case where the tip of the protective member is located at the same position as the ejection surface of the recording head, it is also possible to good. In this case, it is necessary to provide an inclined surface on the recording head side as well.

Although it is effective to provide the φ slope only on the recording head main body without using the protective member, it is not preferable because the impact of collision with the cleaning member is directly applied to the recording head.

The present invention particularly applies to a bubble jet recording head proposed by Canon ■ among inkjet recording systems.
This provides excellent effects in recording devices.

As for typical configurations and principles thereof, it is preferable to use the basic principles disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it is necessary to arrange the liquid (ink) in accordance with the sheet and liquid path that hold it. By applying at least one drive signal that corresponds to recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, the electrothermal transducer generates thermal energy, and the recording head This is effective because it causes film boiling on the heat acting surface of the liquid (ink), resulting in the formation of bubbles in the liquid (ink) in one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. The growth and contraction of the bubble causes liquid (ink) to be ejected through the ejection opening to form at least three droplets. It is more preferable to use this drive signal in a pulse form, since the growth and contraction of bubbles can be carried out immediately and appropriately, so that ejection of liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat. No. 4,345,262 are suitable. Incidentally, U.S. Patent No. 431 for the invention regarding the temperature increase rate of the heat acting surface
If the conditions described in specification No. 3124 are adopted,
Even better recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head includes, in addition to the combined configuration of ejection ports, liquid paths, and electrothermal converters (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting section. U.S. Pat. No. 455.8333 and U.S. Pat. No. 445,960 disclose a configuration in which the
The configurations described in the specification of No. 0 may also be used. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1983 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge part of a plurality of electrothermal converters.
No. 23670 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1, 1982, which discloses a configuration in which a discharge portion is provided with an opening that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy.
The present invention is also effective with a configuration based on Publication No. 38461.

Historically, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by a recording device, a combination of multiple recording heads as disclosed in the specification mentioned above has been used. Either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head may be used.

In addition, a replaceable chip-type recording head that is attached to the device body enables electrical connection to the device body and ink supply from the device body, or a chip-type recording head that is installed integrally with the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. for the recording head, which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, these include caving means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means for the recording head using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element, or a combination of these; It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode in which different ejection is performed in order to perform stable recording.

Furthermore, the recording mode of the recording device is not limited to a recording mode in which only the mainstream color such as black is used; the recording head may be configured integrally or in combination with a plurality of recording heads; The present invention is also extremely effective for devices equipped with at least one full color image.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, but softens or becomes a liquid at room temperature, or an ink that is used in -M in an inkjet. It may be one that softens or becomes liquid in the temperature range of 30° C. or higher and 70° C. or lower, which is the temperature range for temperature adjustment. That is, it is sufficient if the ink is in a liquid state when the recording signal is applied. In addition, it is possible to actively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy to transform the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to use ink that solidifies when left in order to prevent ink evaporation. In any case, the ink may be liquefied by application of thermal energy in accordance with the recording signal and ejected as liquid ink, or the ink may have already begun to solidify by the time it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to the use of ink that is liquefied for the first time. In such a case, the ink may be ink as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-56847 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-71260.
The porous sheet may be held as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through-holes of the porous sheet, and may face the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective method for each of the above-mentioned inks is to implement the above-mentioned film boiling method.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention prevents damage to the cleaning member by providing a protective member for the guide.
This has the effect of increasing speed and improving image quality.

Furthermore, since the cleaning member (particularly the wiper) operates smoothly, it has the effect of reducing the amount of ink scraped by the cleaning member and the like that is scattered.

Furthermore, when the paper becomes wrinkled or folded on the platen, it is guided by the slope of the protective member, preventing the edge of the paper from directly hitting the side of the recording head, and preventing carriage movement errors. The carriage can be moved smoothly without causing problems such as the like, and it is possible to obtain good printing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the recording head and carriage of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the recording head, the carriage, and the cleaning member, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the second embodiment, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the head. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a recording head and carriage of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus; FIG. 8 shows a positional relationship between the recording head and carriage shown in FIG. 7 and a cleaning member. It is an explanatory diagram. 1... Recording head, 1f... Ejection surface, 2...
- Carriage, 2a...Protrusion, 2f...Carriage surface, 3...Guide shaft, 4...Recording medium,
5...Feed roller, 6...Pulse motor,
7... Pump carriage, 7a... Arm part,
7b...hole, 8...guide shaft, 9.
... Return spring, 11... Wiper 12... Rubbing member, 13.14, 23, 24, 33.34... Protective member 35... Ink absorber, 40... Head, 4
1... Discharge port, 42... Electrothermal converter 615
Carriage Soci'' Method I〈'- Patent Applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an inkjet recording apparatus including a cleaning member that cleans the ejection surface of the print head by moving relative to the print head mounted on a carriage, the cleaning member is moved to the ejection surface of the print head. An inkjet recording apparatus characterized in that the carriage is provided with a protective member for guiding, which is formed with an inclined surface that slopes from the ejection surface toward the opposite ejection surface. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface formed on the protective member is a curved surface with a radius of curvature larger than the amount of overlap between the cleaning member and the recording head. 3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an ink absorber provided between the recording head and the protective member. 4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the recording head discharges ink from the discharge ports using thermal energy, and has an electrothermal converter as a means for generating thermal energy. .