JP2709522B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by discharging liquid droplets while moving a carriage equipped with an ink jet recording head along a recording medium. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a wiping unit for removing dew condensation or leakage generated on an ink discharge port surface of a recording head.

[Conventional technology]

A recording device such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile is configured to record an image composed of a dot pattern on a recording medium such as a sheet of paper or a thin plastic plate based on the transferred image information.

The recording device can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, and the like according to a recording method. Among them, the ink jet type (ink jet recording device) is configured such that a droplet (ink) is discharged from a discharge port of a recording head. The recording liquid is discharged and ejected and adhered to a recording medium for recording.

This non-impact type recording device is used for ink jet recording, and features such as low noise, easy high-speed recording, and easy color image recording by using multi-color ink. Has,
In recent years, it is rapidly spreading.

In the inkjet recording apparatus, the atmosphere around the recording head becomes high humidity due to evaporation of the recording liquid (ink) and water contained in the recording medium, and the ink ejection port varies depending on the temperature of the recording head and the atmosphere and other conditions. Condensation may occur on the discharge port surface (face surface facing the recording medium) on which is formed.

Also, the ejection port surface may get wet due to the rebound of the ejected ink from the recording medium.

Such phenomena as dew condensation and wetting appear more remarkably when a heater is used to promote fixing of an image on a recording medium or when the dot duty of a recorded image is high.

If dew condensation or wetting occurs on the discharge port surface, water droplets and the like will adhere unevenly to the discharge port surface, and the water droplets will cause the discharge ink to be ejected at the time of discharge separation, causing fluctuations in the ink discharge direction and discharge speed. Or the particle size of the droplets (ink droplets) is varied, thereby deteriorating the recording quality.

Also, paper dust, dust, and the like tend to adhere due to the wetting of the ejection port surface, which may lower the recording quality.

Conventionally, as a measure to prevent such a phenomenon, wiping (wiping) the discharge port surface at a predetermined timing,
Elimination of condensation and wetting has been performed.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are plan views showing the structure and operation of a conventional wiping means.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a recording head. The recording head 20 has a predetermined arrangement of discharge ports for discharging liquid droplets facing the recording surface of a recording medium 33 such as paper.

A carriage 16 holds the recording head 20.
The carriage 16 is connected to a part of a drive belt 18, and is slidably guided and supported along two parallel guide shafts 19A and 19B.

The carriage 16 can be controlled to reciprocate the recording head 20 over substantially the entire width of the recording medium 33.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a recording head recovery device disposed at one end of the movement path of the recording head 20, for example, at a position facing the home position, and a cap portion 26A for capping the recording head 20 is provided on the front surface thereof. I have.

The recording head recovery device 26 is driven by a motor and a transmission mechanism (not shown) in a direction approaching and moving away from the recording head 20, and caps the recording head 20 at the approach position.

In connection with the capping of the recording head 20 by the cap portion 26A of the head recovery device 26, the head recovery device
The ink is forcibly ejected from the ink ejection port by performing ink suction by the suction means provided in the ink jet head 26 or ink pressure feeding by the pressurizing means provided in the ink supply path into the recording head 20 so that the ink is discharged from the ink ejection port. An ejection recovery process is performed to remove thickened ink in the liquid path, bubbles in the ink, and the like.

In addition, the recording head 20 is protected by capping the ejection port surface at the end of recording or the like.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a wiping member provided on the side of the recording head recovery device 26.

In the illustrated example, the wiping member 31 is formed of a blade made of silicon rubber or the like, and a blade holding member.
It is held by the cantilever method at 31A.

Therefore, the wiping member 31 can move so as to protrude and retreat with the movement of the recording head recovery device 26.

Thereby, at an appropriate timing in the recording operation of the recording head 20, or after the ejection recovery processing by the recording head recovery device 26, the blade 31 is made to protrude into the moving path of the recording head 20, and with the reciprocating operation of the recording head 20, Condensation, leakage, dust, and the like on the ejection port surface of the recording head 20 can be extracted.

The wiping operation having the above configuration will be described below.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the recording head 20 is moving in the direction of arrow A and returning to the home position after the recording is completed. At this time, the recording head recovery device 26 and the blade 31 are connected to the recording head. It is in a position retreated from 20 travel paths.

FIG. 3B shows that the recording head 20 stops at the home position, the recording head recovery device 26 advances in the direction of arrow B, and the cap portion 26A comes into contact with the ejection opening surface of the recording head 20 to perform capping. Indicates the status of the operation.

At this time, the blade 31 moves together with the recording head recovery device 26, and does not move relative to the recording head recovery device 26.

FIG. 3C shows a state in which the recording head 20 has moved from the home position in the direction of arrow D and is heading toward the recording start position.

At this time, the cap 26A of the recording head recovery device 26 has been retracted from the movement path of the recording head 20.

On the other hand, the blade 31 moves in the direction of arrow C with respect to the recording head recovery device 26 and protrudes into the movement path of the recording head 20. As a result, the ejection surface of the recording head 20 is moved by the blade (wiping member) 31. It is wiped.

According to such wiping by the plate 31, dew condensation and wetness on the discharge port as described above can be removed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional wiping means as described above, when the recording head 20 is wiped, a blade is used.
It is necessary to move the blade 31 and the blade holding member 31A in the protruding and retreating directions, and the mechanism for operating the wiping member 31 is complicated and large.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional technical problem, and provides a simplified drive mechanism capable of projecting or retracting a wiping member by using the movement of a recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus provided with a wiping means capable of wiping only when moving in a predetermined direction, reducing the wear of the ejection port surface due to the wiping, and preventing the recording medium from being stained by the scattering of droplets at the time of wiping. The purpose is to provide.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording while moving a carriage on which a recording head is mounted along a recording medium, wherein an ejection port surface of the recording head moves with respect to a recording head moving path. A wiping mechanism that is urged by a biasing means to a wiping position where wiping is possible, and is movable to a non-wiping position retracted from the wiping position by the action of a force against the biasing means; A cam member provided with a portion, provided on the carriage,
A ratchet member which is biased and supported so as to be rotatable only in one direction, wherein the ratchet member is brought into contact with the cam member by moving the carriage in one direction to thereby exert a reaction force against the biasing means. Then, the wiping member is retracted to the non-wiping position, and the ratchet member is rotated against the urging support of the ratchet member by moving the carriage in the opposite direction to contact the ratchet member with the cam member. By moving the wiping member, the wiping member is maintained at the wiping position, and wiping of the discharge port surface of the recording head is performed.

According to the present invention, the drive mechanism can be simplified by projecting or retracting the wiping member using the movement of the recording head, and the ejection port surface by wiping can be simplified by wiping only when the recording head moves in a predetermined direction. The present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a wiping means capable of reducing wear of the recording medium and preventing the recording means from being stained by scattering of liquid droplets during wiping.

[Action]

According to the above configuration, the cam portion provided on the wiping member side and the ratchet provided on the carriage side constitute the engaging means for projecting or retracting the wiping member according to the moving direction of the recording head. When the print head moves to the next position, the wiping member is projected into the movement path of the print head to perform wiping, to remove condensation, wetness, dust, or the like on the ink ejection surface of the print head, and to move the print head in a direction different from the above direction. At this time, the wiping member is retracted from the moving path of the recording head, so that unnecessary wiping can be omitted.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

1 (A) to 1 (C) are plan views showing the structure and operation of a first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the same elements as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 1, the ejection port surface of the recording head 20 (the recording medium)
A discharge port group for discharging droplets to the recording surface of the recording medium 33 such as a sheet of paper or a thin plastic plate is formed in a predetermined arrangement on the face surface facing the recording medium 33.

The recording head 20 is an ink jet recording head that discharges ink by using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy.

Further, the ink jet recording head 20 performs recording by discharging ink from a discharge port by growth of bubbles due to film boiling generated by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer.

A carriage 16 holding the recording head 20 is connected to a part of a drive belt 18 and has two parallel guide shafts.
It is slidably guided and supported along 19A and 19B.

The carriage 16 is controlled by a carriage drive motor (not shown) so that the mounted recording head 20 reciprocates over substantially the entire width of the recording medium 33 and a predetermined range outside a required recording area.

At one end of the movement path of the recording head 20 outside the recording area, for example, at a position facing the home position, a recording head recovery device 26 is provided, and the recording head 20 is capped on the front of the recording head recovery device 26. A cap portion 26A is provided.

The recording head recovery device 26 is driven by a motor and a transmission mechanism (not shown) in a direction approaching and moving away from the recording head 20, and caps the recording head 20 at the approach position.

In connection with the capping of the recording head 20 by the cap portion 26A of the recording head recovery device 26, the ink is sucked from the ejection ports by the suction means provided in the recording head recovery device 26, or the ink enters the recording head 20. The ink is forcibly discharged from the discharge port by forcing the ink by a pressure means provided in the ink supply path of the ink supply path, and the thickened ink inside the discharge port (in the liquid path), bubbles in the ink, etc. An ejection recovery process is performed to remove the image.

In addition, the recording head 20 is protected by capping the ejection port surface at the end of recording or the like.

A blade 31 as a wiping member is provided between the home position of the carriage 16 and the recording start position, that is, on the side of the recording head recovery device 26 on the recording start position side in the illustrated example.

The blade 31 is held by a blade holding member 31A, and the blade holding member 31A is slidably guided and supported in the direction of arrow E and in the opposite direction.

Normally, the blade holding member 31A is urged by a spring 31B in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow E, and the blade 31 held by the spring 31B projects into the moving path of the recording head 20.

A cam portion 31 is provided at the tip of the blade holding member 31A, that is, at the end protruding toward the movement path of the recording head 20.
C is provided.

On the other hand, a ratchet 34 is mounted at a position where the carriage 16 engages with the cam portion 31C. The ratchet 34 is rotatably supported by a vertical pin 35 provided on the carriage 16, and is urged clockwise in FIG. 1 by a spring 34A.

Next, the wiping operation of the wiping means according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.

FIG. 1A shows a state in which the recording head 20 is moving in the direction of arrow A toward a home position (a position facing the recording head recovery device 26), such as at the end of recording.

In this state, the cap section 26 of the recording head recovery device 26
A is retracted from the movement path of the recording head 20.

In this state, the ratchet 34 engages with the cam portion 31C as the recording head 20 moves in the direction of arrow A, but the ratchet 34 cannot rotate further clockwise from the illustrated position. The blade holding member 31A retracts in the direction of arrow E against the spring 31B by the collision of the 34 with the cam portion 31C.

Therefore, the blade 31 held by the blade holding member 31A retreats from the moving path of the recording head 20, and the ejection opening surface of the recording head 20 is not wiped.

FIG. 1B shows a state in which the recording head 20 has stopped at the home position facing the recovery device 26.

In this state, the recording head recovery device 26 is driven forward in the direction of arrow B, and the cap portion 26A abuts the ejection opening surface of the recording head 20 to perform capping.

The blade 31 protrudes into the movement path of the recording head 20 by the urging force of the spring 31B.

FIG. 1C shows a state where the recording head 20 is moving in the direction of arrow D from the home position to the recording start position.

In this state, the cab section 26 of the recording head recovery device 26
A is retracted from the movement path of the recording head 20.

In this state, the ratchet 34 collides with the cam portion 31C as the recording head 20 moves, but the ratchet spring 3
Since 4A is set to be weaker than the blade biasing spring 31B, the ratchet 34 rotates counterclockwise against the spring 34, and the blade holding member 31A does not retract and remains held at the projecting position. Become.

For this reason, the blade 31 protrudes into the movement path of the recording head 20, and the ejection port surface of the recording head 20 is wiped by the movement of the recording head.

As described above, with the wiping members shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, when the recording head 20 moves toward the home position, the wiping in front of the ejection port is not performed, and
Only when moving from the home position to the recording start position, wiping of the discharge port surface is performed, and the wiping operation sufficiently removes dew condensation, wetness, dust, and the like on the discharge port surface.

The reciprocating operation of the recording head 20 for wiping can be performed at a predetermined timing arbitrarily in addition to performing the capping or ejection recovery processing by the recording head recovery device 26. The above wiping operation can be executed at the timing described above.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are plan views showing the structure and operation of a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the same elements as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 2 as well, in front of the ejection ports of the recording head 20 (the face surface facing the recording medium 33), a group of ejection ports from which the recording medium 33 such as a sheet of paper or a thin plastic plate ejects droplets onto the recording surface is provided. They are formed in a predetermined arrangement.

A carriage 16 holding the recording head 20 is connected to a part of a drive belt 18 and has two parallel guide shafts.
It is slidably guided and supported along 19A and 18B.

The carriage 16 is controlled by a carriage drive motor (not shown) so that the mounted recording head 20 reciprocates over substantially the entire width of the recording medium 33 and a predetermined range outside a required recording area.

One end of the moving path of the recording head 20 outside the recording area, for example, at a position facing the home position, is driven by a motor and a transmission mechanism (not shown) in a direction approaching and separating from the recording head 20 as described above. A recording head recovery device 26 having a cap portion 26A for capping the recording head 20 is provided.

Further, in connection with the capping of the recording head 20, the ink is forcibly discharged from the discharge port by the suction means provided in the recording head recovery device 26 or the pressurizing means provided in the ink supply path, thereby discharging the ink. An ejection recovery process is performed to remove the thickened ink inside the outlet (inside the liquid path), bubbles in the ink, and the like.

A blade 31 as a wiping member is provided between the home position of the carriage 16 and the recording start position, that is, on the side of the recording head recovery device 26 on the recording start position side in the illustrated example.

The blade 31 is held by a blade holding member 31A.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the blade holding member
31A is rotatably supported by the recording head recovery device 26.

That is, a fulcrum member 31D is provided on a side portion of the recording head recovery device 26, and an intermediate portion of the blade holding member 31A is rotatably supported by the fulcrum member 31D.

A recording head recovery device is provided at the rear end of the blade holding member 31A (the end opposite to the end holding the blade 31).
The other end of a spring 31E connected to 26 is connected, and the blade holding member 31A is urged in a counterclockwise direction by the spring 31E, and in a normal state, a part of the blade holding member 31A is a recording head recovery device. Stopper 31F provided on 26
Is in contact with

Further, the front end of the blade holding member 31A on the carriage 16 side, that is, the end on the side that protrudes to the movement path of the recording head 20 and holds the blade 31, is similar to the above-described case.
A cam portion 31C is provided.

On the other hand, a ratchet 34 is mounted at a position on the carriage 16 at which the cam portion 31C is engaged. The ratchet 34 is rotatably supported by a vertical pin 35 provided on the carriage 16, and is urged clockwise in FIG. 2 by a bush 34A.

Next, the wiping operation of the wiping means according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2 will be described below.

FIG. 2A shows a state in which the recording head 20 is moving in the direction of the arrow A toward the home position (a position facing the recording head recovery device 26), for example, at the end of recording.

In this state, the cap section 26 of the recording head recovery device 26
A is retracted from the movement path of the recording head 20.

In this state, the ratchet 34 engages with the cam portion 31C as the recording head 20 moves in the direction of arrow A, but the ratchet 34 cannot rotate further clockwise from the illustrated position. When the blade 34 comes into contact with the cam portion 31C, the blade holding member 31A rotates clockwise in FIG. 2 around the fulcrum of the fulcrum member 31D against the spring 31E.

For this reason, the blade 31 held at the tip of the blade holding member 31A retreats from the moving path of the recording head 20, and the ejection opening surface of the recording head 20 is not wiped.

FIG. 2B shows a state in which the recording head 20 has stopped at the home position facing the recovery device 26.

In this state, the recording head recovery device 26 is driven forward in the direction of arrow B, and the cap portion 26A abuts the ejection opening surface of the recording head 20 to perform capping.

The blade holding member 31A is urged in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 31E and is held at a position where it comes into contact with a stopper 31F as shown in the figure.
It protrudes into 20 travel paths.

FIG. 2C shows a state in which the recording head 20 is moving in the direction of arrow D from the home position to the recording start position.

In this state, the cap section 26 of the recording head recovery device 26
A is retracted from the movement path of the recording head 20.

Further, in this state, the ratchet 34 collides with the cam portion 31C with the movement of the recording head 20, but the ratchet 34 can rotate around the pin 35 counterclockwise against the spring 34A, and the blade 34 Since the holding member 31A cannot rotate in the counterclockwise direction by contacting the stopper 31F, the ratchet 34 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the blade holding member 31A does not retract and remains held at the protruding position.

For this reason, the blade 31 protrudes into the movement path of the recording head 20, and the ejection opening surface of the recording head 20 is wiped by the movement of the recording head.

As described above, also in the wiping operations shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the recording head 20 moves toward the home position as in the operations shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C. In this case, the wiping of the discharge port surface is not performed, and the wiping of the discharge port surface is performed only when moving from the home position to the recording start position. It is sufficiently removed.

In the case of FIG. 2 as well, the reciprocating operation of the recording head 20 for wiping can be performed at a predetermined timing arbitrarily in addition to the capping or the ejection recovery processing by the recording head recovery device 26. Even during the operation, the wiping operation can be executed at a predetermined timing.

According to each of the embodiments described above, the wiping member 31 is provided between the home position of the carriage 16 and the recording start position so as to protrude and retreat with respect to the recording head moving path, and the cam provided on the wiping member side. By engaging the portion 31C with the ratchet 34 provided on the carriage 16 side, the wiping member 31 is held in a protruding state and recorded only when the carriage 16 moves in the direction from the home position to the recording start position. Since the ejection opening surface of the head 20 is configured to be wiped, the drive mechanism can be simplified by projecting or retracting the wiping member 31 using the movement of the recording head 20.

In addition, since the wiping is performed only when the recording head 20 moves from the home position toward the recording start position, it is possible to reduce the wear of the ejection port surface due to the wiping, and further, in a direction from the recording position to the home position. Since the wiping is not performed when moving, the recording medium 33 can be prevented from being stained by the splash of the ink.

The position where the blade 31 and the blade holding member 31A are disposed is not limited to the position on the recording head recovery device 26 or a side portion thereof (the recording device main body side). It can be placed at any position between them.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where a so-called blade is used as the wiping member 31 has been described.However, in the case where the present invention is implemented, the discharge port surface may be wiped or wiped,
Various wiping members can be used as long as wiping can be performed widely, including sucking.

For example, instead of a single blade, a strip-shaped blade or a brush-shaped member may be used as the wiping member.

The above-described embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment in which the cleaning action of the blade (which may be other absorbing felt, rubber, metal, roller, etc.) 31 is performed only when the recording head moves to the home position. May be provided only on the right side with respect to the head 20 of the carriage, and the taper of the ratchet may be reversed from that shown in FIG.

Further, the position of the blade may be provided only at the right end of the recording area in the drawing, or together with the configuration shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, and the cleaning direction in this case may be set as desired.

Preferably, the cleaning is performed only in the direction shown in FIG. 3 described in the conventional example, or the blade configuration shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 is provided at the right end, and the carriage configuration is left as it is.

This is because the cleaning direction is from the recording area to the non-recording area, and the scattering of the ink attached to the blade can be prevented from reaching the recording area.

The present invention can be carried out regardless of the number of recording heads, for example, when a plurality of recording heads are used as in color recording, and can achieve the same operation and effect.

The present invention particularly provides an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus using an ink jet recording head of a bubble jet method among the ink jet recording methods.

The representative configuration and principle are preferably performed using the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796.

This method can be applied to any of the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged on a sheet or a liquid path holding a liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal transducer, which corresponds to the recorded information and provides a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling,
This is effective because thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat-acting surface of the recording head. As a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal.

By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed.

When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,434,262 are suitable.

Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting section A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which the is bent, is also included in the present invention.

In addition, for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, JP-A-59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the thermal transducer, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which is adapted to a discharge unit.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be reduced by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the above or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects.

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

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, which are provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized.

If these are specifically mentioned, for the recording head,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and performing a predischarge mode in which discharge is performed separately from recording. Is also effective for performing stable recording.

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

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but the ink is solidified at room temperature or below, and is softened or liquid at room temperature, or the ink itself is 30 ° C. In general, the temperature is adjusted within a range of not more than ° C. and the temperature is controlled so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Therefore, it is sufficient that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.

In addition, positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or prevent ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink. Or use
In any case, heat is first applied by heat energy, such as one in which ink is liquefied and ejected as an ink liquid by application in accordance with a recording signal of heat energy, and one which already starts to solidify when reaching a recording material. Use of an ink having a liquefying property is also applicable to the present invention.

In such a case, as in JP-A-54-56847, the ink is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held as a liquid or a solid in the concave portions or through holes of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form.

In the present invention, the most effective one for the above-described ink is to execute the above-described film boiling method.

〔The invention's effect〕

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording while moving a carriage on which a recording head is mounted along a recording medium, the recording head moves with respect to a recording head moving path. A wiping mechanism that is urged by the urging means to a discharge position at a one-wiping position at which wiping is possible and is movable to a non-wiping position retracted from the wiping position by the action of a force against the urging means; A cam member provided on a part of a mechanism; and a ratchet member provided on the carriage and biased and supported so as to be rotatable only in one direction, wherein the ratchet member is moved by the carriage in one direction. Is brought into contact with the cam member to act as a drag against the urging means, thereby causing the wiping member to The wiping is performed by retracting to the ping position and rotating the ratchet member against the urging support of the ratchet member by bringing the ratchet member into contact with the cam member by moving the carriage in the opposite direction. Since the member is maintained at the wiping position and the wiping of the ejection port surface of the recording head is performed, a driving mechanism for projecting or retracting the wiping member using the movement of the recording head can be simplified, and Inkjet with wiping means capable of reducing the wear of the discharge port surface due to wiping by wiping only when the recording head moves in a predetermined direction, and preventing the recording means from being stained by scattering of droplets during wiping. A recording device is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (A), 1 (B) and 1 (C) are partial plan views showing the main configuration and operation of a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, respectively, and FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B). )
3C and 3C are partial plan views showing the configuration and operation of a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, respectively, and FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are conventional drawings. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration and operation of a wiping unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. In the following, reference numerals indicating the main parts in the drawings are listed. 16 Carriage, 20 Recording head, 26 Recording head recovery device, 26A Cap part, 31 Wiping member (blade), 31A Blade holding member, 31B Spring, 31C Cam Member (cam part), 31D ... Support point member, 31
E ... Spring, 31F ... Stopper, 33 ... Recording medium, 34 ...
Ratchet member (ratchet), 34A …… Spring, 35 ……
Pin (rotation center of ratchet).

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical indication F28F 9/00 321 B41J 29/00 M

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording while moving a carriage on which a recording head is mounted along a recording medium, wherein a wiping position capable of wiping an ejection opening surface of the recording head with respect to a recording head moving path. A wiping mechanism which is urged by the urging means and is movable to a non-wiping position retracted from the wiping position by the action of a force against the urging means; and a cam provided in a part of the wiping mechanism. And a ratchet member provided on the carriage and biased and supported so as to be rotatable only in one direction, wherein the ratchet member is brought into contact with the cam member by moving the carriage in one direction. To cause the wiping member to retract to the non-wiping position by acting a drag against the urging means, and The wiping member is maintained at the wiping position by rotating the ratchet member against the urging support of the ratchet member by bringing the ratchet member into contact with the cam member by movement of the ridge in the opposite direction, thereby maintaining the wiping member. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein wiping of a discharge port surface of the recording head is performed. 2. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is a recording head that discharges ink by using thermal energy, and is an ink jet recording head that includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein ink is ejected from an ejection port by growth of bubbles due to film boiling generated by thermal energy applied by said electrothermal transducer.