JP3617526B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more specifically, prevents ink from volatilizing ink at a nozzle opening by being in close contact with a recording head during non-printing. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a cap device that prevents clogging of a nozzle opening due to evaporation of a solvent.

  A recording apparatus equipped with an ink jet recording head is used for many types of printing including color printing because noise during printing is relatively low and small dots can be formed with high density. In such a recording apparatus, the ink pressurized in the pressure generating chamber is ejected from a nozzle as an ink droplet onto a recording sheet to form dots. For this reason, in order to improve the printing quality, it is necessary to prevent bleeding on the recording paper, and the ratio of the ink solvent is reduced as much as possible, or a material that easily evaporates is used. Therefore, the ink solvent evaporates from the nozzle opening during printing and the ink viscosity increases, and even during non-printing, the ink solvent evaporates from the nozzle opening and the ink viscosity at the nozzle opening increases, causing ink ejection. Cause trouble.

  In order to prevent this, in the conventional inkjet recording apparatus, the cap apparatus is brought into close contact with the recording head during non-printing to prevent the evaporation of the ink solvent, and the ink is ejected to the cap apparatus during printing. The nozzle opening is recovered.

  When the cap device is pulled away from the recording head from the close contact state or after the recovery operation, it is required that bubbles do not enter the nozzle openings and ink does not scatter from the cap device.

  In order to meet these requirements, various proposals have been made. For example, a cap apparatus having an absorbing member for absorbing ink as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-43066 has been proposed.

  Next, this conventional cap device will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional cap device, FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 19, and FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

  In these drawings, the cap device is composed of a cap member 101 and a cap holder 110 that houses the cap member 101. The cap member 101 includes a peripheral wall portion 101a that surrounds the nozzle opening of the recording head 100, and a tip portion of which closely contacts the recording head 100, and a bottom wall portion 101b that closes the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion 101a. Yes. In addition, a plurality of claw portions 102c for fixing and holding the two ink absorbing materials 102 and 103 in a stacked state are provided inside the peripheral wall portion 101a along the peripheral edge at the top of the peripheral wall portion 101a. It has been. In the figure, eight claw portions 102c are provided.

  In addition, the bottom wall portion 101b is communicated with or cut off from the atmosphere by an ink suction port 104 for discharging ink ejected by a pump (not shown) out of the cap device and a valve (not shown). An open port 105 is provided. In the figure, reference numeral 106 denotes a connecting pipe, one end of which is fitted to the ink suction port 104, and the other end is connected to a pump (not shown). Although not shown, similarly, a connecting pipe connected to a valve is fitted into the opening 105. Reference numeral 101c denotes an accommodating portion for accommodating the ink absorbing materials 102 and 103.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-43066

  By the way, the ink absorbers 102 and 103 prevent the ink ejected by the recording head 100 or the ink sucked from the recording head 100 from being scattered and the cap member discharges the ink without causing bubbles in the cap member. Furthermore, it is comprised with the swelling material like a nonwoven fabric, for example. Therefore, the ink absorbing materials 102 and 103 are swollen by the ink from the recording head.

However, as described above, since the ink absorbing materials 102 and 103 are fixed to the cap member 101 by the claw portion 102c formed on the cap member 101, the swelling due to the swelling of the central portion of the ink absorbing material is prevented. It was absorbed.
Due to the rise of the ink absorbing material, the upper surface of the ink absorbing material approaches the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head, and in the worst case, contacts the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head, and the ink absorbed by the ink absorbing material forms the nozzle opening. It sometimes adhered to the surface.

  Further, when the ink absorbing material rises, a gap is formed between the ink absorbing material and the bottom wall portion of the cap member or between the two ink absorbing materials. If the gap exists, bubbles may be generated in the cap member during cleaning, and ink may adhere to the nozzle opening formation surface due to the scattering of the bubbles.

As described above, due to the rise of the ink absorbing material, the ink may adhere to the nozzle opening forming surface, and there is a technical problem that it is not possible to clean the nozzles satisfactorily.
In order to solve this, in consideration of swelling of the ink absorbing materials 102 and 103, it is conceivable that the outer shape of the ink absorbing materials 102 and 103 is formed smaller than the accommodating portion 101c that accommodates the ink absorbing materials 102 and 103. .

  However, in this case, since the gap is formed between the peripheral wall portion 101a of the cap member and the ink absorbing materials 102 and 103 until the ink absorbing materials 102 and 103 swell, bubbles are easily generated in the cap member. Therefore, there arises a new problem that it is not possible to clean the nozzles satisfactorily.

  Further, since a claw portion 102c for fixing the ink absorbing materials 102 and 103 is provided on the upper portion of the peripheral wall portion 101a, there are two points in FIG. 20 between the upper surface of the claw portion 102c and the lower surface of the recording head 100. As indicated by the chain line, the ink droplet I may remain attached. Since the ink droplet I does not contact the ink absorbing members 102 and 103 described above, the ink droplet I cannot be absorbed by the ink absorbing members 102 and 103.

  If the ink droplet I remains on the upper surface of the claw portion 102c as described above, the ink droplet I is used when the carriage is moved to return the recording head 100 to the printing operation state after the ink is ejected or the nozzle is restored. Scattering, the ink adheres to the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head 100, and the surroundings of the cap device are stained with ink.

  The present invention has been made to solve the technical problems as described above, and prevents ink from adhering to the nozzle opening formation surface of the recording head by preventing the ink absorber from swelling due to swelling. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a cap device that can clean a recording head with good quality.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing on recording paper by discharging ink, and a recording head that performs printing on recording paper by discharging ink, and nozzles of the recording head A cap device including at least a cap member that seals and covers an opening; a cap holder that houses the cap member; a negative pressure generating unit that sucks ink in the recording head through the cap member of the cap device; and the cap member An ink absorbing material housed therein, a pressing member disposed on the upper surface of the ink absorbing material and pressing the ink absorbing material, and a fixing means for fixing the pressing member to the cap member are provided.

  Thus, since the pressing member for pressing the ink absorbing material is disposed on the upper surface of the ink absorbing material, the ink absorbing material can be prevented from rising. As a result, it is possible to prevent ink from adhering to the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head, and to perform excellent cleaning of the recording head.

  Here, the pressing member is preferably a plate-like member or a linear member, and the pressing member is formed on the cap member or the cap holder and is against a pin portion protruding from the upper surface of the ink absorbing material. It is desirable to be fixed.

  In addition, the pressing member is fixed by heat crimping a pin portion that is formed on the cap member or the cap holder and protrudes from the upper surface of the ink absorbing material, or the pressing member is The cap member or the cap holder is fixed by a claw portion provided on the pin portion protruding from the upper surface of the ink absorbing material, or the pressing member is formed on the cap member or the cap holder. It is desirable to use any means of being fixed by engaging with a hole provided in the pin portion.

  In addition, the said pressing member may be fixed by the nail | claw part formed in the surrounding wall part of the said cap member. However, in this case, as in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, since the claw portion is formed on the peripheral wall portion of the cap member, if ink droplets remain on the top surface of the claw portion, the ink is ejected or after the nozzle recovery operation. When the carriage is moved in order to return the recording head to the printing operation state, the ink droplets are scattered, the ink adheres to the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head, and the periphery of the cap device is stained with ink. Remains.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the pressing member made of the plate-like member is composed of a land portion through which the pin portion is inserted and a belt-like portion connecting the land portions.
Preferably, a cap member that seals and covers the nozzle opening of the recording head and a cap holder that accommodates the cap member are integrally formed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the bulge due to swelling of the ink absorbing material is suppressed by the pressing member, the upper surface of the ink absorbing material is in contact with the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head, and the ink of the ink absorbing material is It can prevent adhering to the nozzle opening formation surface.

  In addition, the rise of the ink absorbing material can prevent a gap from being formed between the ink absorbing material and the bottom wall of the cap member or between the two ink absorbing materials. In this case, bubbles are not generated in the cap member, and ink does not adhere to the nozzle opening formation surface due to scattering of the bubbles.

  Further, since the ink absorbing material is fixed to the cap member by the pressing member, there is no need to provide a claw portion for fixing the ink absorbing material as in the conventional case. By not forming the claw portion in this way, it is possible to prevent ink droplets from adhering to the inside of the peripheral wall portion of the cap member, thereby preventing ink droplets from being scattered.

  As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention can perform good cleaning, does not stain the surface of the recording head facing the printing paper with ink, and uses ink around the cap member. It won't get dirty. As a result, high-quality printing can be obtained without contaminating the printing paper.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the ink jet recording apparatus, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a recovery mechanism portion of the ink jet recording apparatus, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of the recovery mechanism, and FIGS. It is explanatory drawing. 6 is a plan view showing a cap device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a plan view of a pressing member used in the cap device shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cap member shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of the cap holder shown in FIG.

  First, the outline of the ink jet recording apparatus and the recovery mechanism of the cap apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage, which is supported by a guide member 2 and connected to a pulse motor 23 via a timing belt 3 so that it can reciprocate in parallel with the platen 5.

  The carriage 1 has a first ink jet recording head 7 having a nozzle opening row for discharging black ink and a second ink jet recording head 8 (FIG. 4) having a nozzle opening row for discharging color ink. The black ink cartridge 9 and the color ink cartridge 10 are detachably mounted on the upper portions of the recording heads 7 and 8, respectively. Further, a cap device 12 for sealing the recording heads 7 and 8 is provided outside the printing area.

  With this configuration, when a drive signal from a head drive circuit (not shown) is received via the flexible cable 11, the print head 6 is placed on the printing paper 6 on which the recording heads 7 and 8 are opposed to each other while receiving ink from the ink cartridges 9 and 10. Black and colored dots are formed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the upper surface in the vicinity of the cap device described above. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a paper feed roller, which is a pulse that feeds paper and pumps by a gear 22 fixed to one end of a rotating shaft 21. It is connected to the motor 24 and conveys the printing paper 6 in accordance with the printing process.

  Reference numeral 12 in the figure denotes the above-described cap device, which is in two positions: a capping position that covers the nozzle opening surfaces of the two recording heads 7 and 8 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 1 and a non-capping position that is separated from the nozzle opening surfaces. The occupying slider 30 is provided with a first cap member 31 and a second cap member 32 which are formed in a cup shape with an elastic material via cap holders 36 and 37. These cap members 31 and 32 can seal the corresponding first recording head 7 and second recording head 8 respectively, and can reliably receive ink droplets ejected from the recording heads 7 and 8 in a separated state. The opening area can be set.

  The first and second cap members 31 and 32 have suction ports 31a and 32a (FIG. 3) connected to one ends of tubes 33 and 34 constituting a part of the pumps 38 and 39, respectively, so as to receive a suction force. It has become.

  The first and second tube pumps 38 and 39 are selectively connected to the pulse motor 24 via a train wheel 43, and only the first tube pump 38 performs a suction operation when the motor 24 rotates in the reverse direction and also when it rotates in the normal direction. Only the second tube pump 39 performs a suction operation.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example of the cap device 12 described above. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 30 denotes a slider, which is matched with the interval between the two recording heads 7 and 8 mounted on the carriage 1. First and second cap members 31, 32 are provided so as to be swingable by shafts 31c, 32c.

  Reference numerals 41 and 42 in the figure denote first and second guide pieces, which are arranged on both sides according to the width of the first and second recording heads 7 and 8 of the carriage 1, and the carriage 1 is set at a predetermined position. At this time, the recording heads 7 and 8 have a function of positioning relative to the cap. Further, at the tip of the slider 30, the right end in the drawing, the carriage 1 moves to a position where the first and second cap members 31, 32 and the first and second recording heads 7, 8 face each other. An engaging piece 46 is provided at the tip of the flag piece 45 that abuts the lower end protrusion 44, and abuts and separates from a guide member 47 attached to the base 53.

  The guide member 47 is provided with a convex portion 47a for preventing the slider 30 from coming off, a flat surface 47b for forming the slider 30 at a certain distance suitable for empty ejection from the lower ends of the recording heads 7 and 8, and cap members 31 and 32. A flat surface 47c that forms a position where the recording heads 7 and 8 are brought into elastic contact is formed.

  On the other hand, the slider 30 is provided with a shaft 50 perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage 1 at the center of the lower portion of the slider 30, and the lower end of the slider 30 swings to the shaft 54 of the base 53 via the long groove 52 a. It is loosely fitted to a lever 52 that is attached. The slider 30 is attached to the upper end of a coil spring 56 having a lower end fixed to the base 53 and inclined to the printing area side and buckled to the non-printing area side.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, at the time of non-capping, the slider 30 is urged toward the print area side by the coil spring 56 while one end is regulated by the lowermost end of the inclined surface 47 b of the guide member 47 and the central part is regulated by the lever 52. Thus, the position where the gap g suitable for idle ejection can be formed can be maintained without bringing the cap members 31 and 32 into contact with the recording heads 7 and 8.

  Further, the slider 30 is provided with a valve unit 60 connected to the atmosphere opening ports 31 b and 32 b provided in the cap members 31 and 32 on the case 61 side, and the operating rod 62 projects from the valve unit 60. ing. Thus, by moving the slider 30 to the capping position, the operating rod 62 is brought into elastic contact with the case 61, and the valve unit 60 that is normally open can be closed to close the atmosphere opening ports 31b and 32b.

  Next, the structure of the cap members 31 and 32 constituting the cap device 12 and the cap holders 36 and 37 for storing the cap members 31 and 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, since the cap member 31 and the cap member 32 have the fundamentally same structure, it demonstrates taking the cap member 31 as an example. Similarly, since the cap holder 36 and the cap holder 37 have basically the same configuration, the cap holder 36 will be described as an example.

  In these drawings, like the conventional cap member described above, the cap member 31 surrounds the nozzle opening of the recording head and the front end portion thereof closely contacts the recording head, and the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion 31d is closed. The bottom wall portion 31e includes an ink suction pipe portion 36c for discharging ink ejected by a pump (not shown) to the outside of the cap device. The hole 31a and the insertion hole 31b into which the open pipe part 36d communicated with or shut off from the atmosphere by a valve (not shown) are provided.

  The bottom wall portion 31e is provided with an insertion hole 31f into which a pin portion 36b provided in the cap holder 36 is inserted to hold the two ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 in a stacked state. . That is, as shown in the figure, the bottom wall portion 31e is provided with five insertion holes 31f and insertion holes 31a and 31b into which the ink suction tube portion 36c and the open tube portion 36d are inserted.

Further, a first recess 31g is formed on the outer surface of the bottom wall portion 31d of the cap member 31 so as to surround the insertion holes 31a and 31b and one insertion hole 31f, and the second to fifth portions are surrounded by surrounding the other insertion hole 31f. Recesses 31h to 31k are formed. Thus, since the recessed parts 31g-31k are formed in the circumference | surroundings of the insertion holes 31a and 31b and the five insertion holes 31f, the circumference | surroundings become thin.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a step portion 31 l is formed on the peripheral wall portion 31 d of the cap member 31 in order to place the second ink absorbing material 17.

  Next, the cap holders 36 and 37 will be described. As described above, the cap holder 36 and the cap holder 37 basically have the same configuration, and therefore the cap holder 36 will be described as an example.

  The cap holder 36 is formed with a storage recess 36 a for storing the cap 31. And the pin part 36b inserted in the five insertion holes 31f formed in the cap member 31 is provided in the bottom face part of the accommodation recessed part 36a.

  The pin portion 36b is formed to have a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the insertion hole 31f of the cap member 31, and the tip portion is formed to have a smaller diameter than the diameter. The pin portion includes a thickness of the bottom wall portion 31e of the cap member 31, a thickness of the two ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 accommodated in the cap member 31, and a pressing plate for pressing the ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 described later. It has a thickness of 40 and a height higher than the sum.

Further, a suction tube portion 36c having an ink suction port and an open tube portion 36d having an open port are provided on the bottom surface of the storage recess 36a. The suction tube portion 36c and the open tube portion 36d are formed to have substantially the same diameter as the hole diameters of the insertion holes 31a and 31b of the cap member 31. The suction tube portion 36 c and the open tube portion 36 d are formed at a height that does not protrude from the bottom wall portion 31 e of the cap member 31.
Further, a claw portion 36e that engages with the cap member 31 is formed on the side wall surface of the storage recess 36a that stores the cap 31.

Next, the pressing plate 40 as a pressing member will be described.
The push plate 40 is made of a metal material having corrosion resistance, for example, a stainless plate, and is formed in a U-shape having a band-like portion 40a and a land portion 40b. The land portion 40b is formed with an insertion hole 40c through which the pin portion 36b is inserted.

  In this embodiment, land portions 40d are also formed in the portions corresponding to the suction tube portion 36c and the open tube portion 36d in order to increase the contact area between the pressing plate 40 and the ink absorbing material. . The land portion 40d is also formed with an opening 40e for air and ink circulation. As described above, the land portion 40d is provided in the portion corresponding to the suction tube portion 36c and the open tube portion 36d, and the opening portion 40e is provided in the land portion 40d to allow air and ink to flow. The absorbent material can be held, and the air and ink distribution is not hindered.

Next, assembly of the cap device 12 will be described.
First, the cap member 31 is stored in the storage recess 36 a of the cap holder 36. At this time, the five pin portions 36b of the cap holder 36 are inserted into the insertion holes 31f of the cap member 31, the suction tube portion 36c is inserted into the ink suction tube insertion hole 31a, and the open tube portion 36d is the open tube portion insertion hole 31b. Inserted into.

  In this way, the suction tube portion 36c is inserted into the ink suction tube insertion hole 31a. Even if the ink suction tube portion 36c and the ink suction tube insertion hole 31a are misaligned at this time, The recessed part 31g formed in the periphery deform | transforms and absorbs the position shift.

The open tube portion 36d is inserted into the open tube portion insertion hole 31b. Even if the open tube portion 36d and the open tube portion insertion hole 31b are displaced at this time, the open tube portion 36d is formed around the ink suction tube insertion hole 31b. The formed recess 31g is deformed and absorbs the displacement.
Further, even when the pin portion 36b is inserted into the insertion hole 31f of the cap member 31, the second concave portion 31h to the fifth concave portion 31k are deformed to absorb the displacement.

  As described above, since the displacement is absorbed by the first recess 31g to the fifth recess 31k, the assembly can be easily performed by an automatic machine or the like. In addition, since the first concave portion 31g to the fifth concave portion 31k absorb the respective portions, the other portions of the cap member 31 are not adversely affected. In particular, the adhesiveness between the recording head and the upper part of the peripheral wall 31c of the cap member 31 is not adversely affected.

  Then, the first ink absorbing material 16 is stored in the cap member 31 from above the cap member 31. A through hole is formed at a position corresponding to the pin portion 36b of the ink absorbing material 16, the pin portion 36b of the cap holder 36 is inserted through the through hole, and the ink absorbing material 16 is disposed on the bottom wall portion. .

  Subsequently, the second ink absorbing material 17 is also stored in the cap member 31 from above the cap member 31. A through hole is formed at a position corresponding to the pin portion 36 b of the ink absorbing material 17, the pin portion 36 b of the cap holder 36 is inserted through the through hole, and the ink absorbing material 17 is the first ink absorbing material 16. The peripheral portion is placed on the step portion 31 l of the cap holder 36.

  Then, the pressing plate 40 is placed on the second ink absorbing material from above the cap member 31. At this time, the pin portion 36 b is inserted into the through hole 40 c of the land portion 40 b of the push plate 40, and the pin portion 36 b protrudes on the push plate 40. Further, the pin portion 36 b (the right side pin portion 36 b in FIG. 6) that is not inserted into the land portion 40 b of the push plate 40 also protrudes from the surface of the second ink absorbing material 17.

On the other hand, the suction tube portion 36 c and the open tube portion 36 d do not protrude from the bottom wall portion of the cap member 31, and thus are positioned below the first ink absorbing material 16 without contacting the first ink absorbing material 16.
Then, the tip of the pin portion 36 b is caulked by heat, and the first ink absorbing material 16, the second ink absorbing material 17, and the pressing plate 40 are fixed to the cap member 31.

  As described above, the first and second ink absorbers 16 and 17 are pressed by the pin portion 36b caulked by heat or the pressing plate 40 fixed by the pin portion 36b. Even when the absorbent materials 16 and 17 swell, their central portions do not rise. In particular, since the pressing plate 40 is pressed from above the second ink absorbing material 17 with a wide contact area, even when the first and second ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 are swollen, the central portion is raised. There is no.

  Further, since the first and second ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 are pressed, there is no gap between the ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 or between the ink absorbing material 16 and the bottom wall portion 31e of the cap member. .

  As a result, the upper surface of the ink absorbing material 17 comes into contact with the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head, the ink absorbed by the ink absorbing material does not adhere to the nozzle opening forming surface, and bubbles due to the gap do not occur. Good cleaning can be performed without the ink adhering to the nozzle opening formation surface due to the scattering of bubbles or the like. Since the assembly of the cap holder 37 and the cap member 32 is the same as that described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the ink ejection operation from the nozzle opening of the recording head will be described. First, the carriage 1 on which the first and second recording heads 7 and 8 are mounted moves from the printing area in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5, that is, toward the outside of the printing area, and the carriage 1 moves to the slider 30 positioned outside the printing area. When reaching, the first recording head 7 is engaged with the second guide piece 42.

  When the carriage 1 further moves in this state, the first recording head 7 engages with the first guide piece 41 and the second recording head 8 engages with the second guide piece 42, so that the slider 30 corresponds to the carriage 1. Aligned to posture.

  Further, when the carriage 1 moves, the projection 44 comes into contact with the flag piece 45, so that the first and second cap members 31 and 32 have the first and second recording heads 7 and 8 as shown in FIG. The first and second recording heads 7 and 8 are opposed to the first and second recording heads 7 and 8 at a position where the nozzle openings can be covered with a predetermined gap g.

  In this state, ink is ejected idle. That is, when a predetermined time elapses during the printing process, the ink ejection from the first and second recording heads 7 and 8 is performed on the cap members 31 and 32 in order to prevent evaporation of the ink solvent at the nozzle openings. Do. At this time, since the conventional claw portions are not formed on the cap members 31 and 32, the ink droplet I connected between the claw portion and the recording heads 7 and 8 is not formed.

  In addition, the first and second ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 are swollen by the ink ejected empty, but the first and second ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 are pressed by the pressing plate 40, so that the central portion is There is no excitement. Further, there is no gap between the first and second ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 or between the ink absorbing material 16 and the bottom wall portions of the cap members 31 and 32. As a result, it is possible to perform a good idle ejection operation without attaching ink to the nozzle opening formation surface of the recording head.

  When the carriage 1 is further moved from this state, the slider 30 is lifted at the rear portion (printing area side) with the shaft 50 as a rotation fulcrum by the flag piece 45 being pushed by the projection 44, and the second cap member 32 abuts on the second recording head 8. At this time, the second cap member 32 is swingably attached to the slider 30, and the slider 30 is also swingably attached to the base 53 via the lever 52, so that it is guided by the second recording head 8. It rises while abutting so as to cover the nozzle openings of the second recording head 8.

  Further, when the carriage 1 moves to the case 61 side, the coil spring 56 becomes unable to resist the force of the carriage 1 and starts to buckle and lifts the slider 30, so that the slider 30 moves the second cap device 32 to the second position. 2 The first cap member 31 is brought into contact with the first recording head 7 by being lifted while being fitted to the recording head 8. When the carriage 1 further moves in this way, the slider 30 moves horizontally toward the case 61 while being regulated by the first and second recording heads 7 and 8, and the operating rod 62 contacts the case 61. The open ports 31b and 32b of the first and second cap members 31 and 32 are closed to block the atmosphere.

  In this state, the coil spring 56 is greatly buckled, and the slider 30 is lifted by the urging force of the coil spring 56, so that the first and second cap members 31 and 32 are in elastic contact with the first and second recording heads 7 and 8, so that To seal. In this manner, the cap members 31 and 32 are brought into close contact with the recording heads 7 and 8 to prevent the ink solvent from evaporating.

  In this way, the first and second cap members 31 and 32 are in elastic contact with the first and second recording heads 7 and 8, and the paper feed / pump motor 24 is connected to the train wheel 43 by the lever 72. At this time, the first pump 38 or the second pump 39 is operated by the forward / reverse rotation of the paper feed / pump motor 24 by the switching mechanism (not shown), and the ink suction operation is performed.

  Further, in this ink suction operation, since the ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 are accommodated in the cap members 31 and 32, it is possible to prevent foaming of ink. In particular, since the first and second ink absorbers 16 and 17 are pressed by the pin portion 36b and the pressing plate 40, the ink absorber does not rise due to swelling. Further, no gap is generated between the first and second ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 or between the ink absorbing material 16 and the bottom wall portion of the cap member. As a result, generation of bubbles (bubbles) can be prevented, and the recording head is not soiled by ink due to scattering of the bubbles. Further, even if the ink bubbles and the ink is scattered, the conventional claw portion is not formed, so that ink droplets do not adhere on the claw portion.

The ink sucked in this way passes through the first tube 33 or the second tube 34 and is discharged to a waste ink tank (not shown).
Then, after the ink suction operation for a predetermined time is completed, when the carriage 1 is moved to the printing area side, the operating rod 62 is separated from the case 61, so that the opening ports 31b and 32b are opened to the atmosphere and returned to the original state. .
When moving from this close contact state, the conventional claw portion is not formed, and therefore ink droplets that connect between the claw portion and the recording heads 7 and 8 are not formed.

Therefore, such ink droplets are not scattered and the recording head or the periphery of the cap member is not stained with ink. Further, since the ink absorbing materials 16 and 17 are pressed by the pin portion and the pressing plate 40, the surface of the ink absorbing material 17 does not touch the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head, and the recording head or the periphery of the cap member is surrounded. It is not soiled by ink.
Thereafter, when the carriage 1 moves in the direction opposite to that described above, that is, in the printing area direction, the first and second recording heads 7 and 8 move to the recording area and return to the original state.

Next, based on FIG. 11 thru | or FIG. 15, the modification of the pressing plate 40 as a pressing member concerning this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 11 shows a case where the push plate 40 is formed in a lattice shape and formed on the entire surface of the ink absorbing material 17. In other words, in the above embodiment, the ink absorbing material 17 is pressed against the half surface of the ink absorbing material 17 by using the U-shaped pressing plate 40. In this modification, the rise is further prevented. Therefore, there is a feature in that the grid-like pressing plate 40 is formed on the entire surface of the ink absorbing material 17.

  FIG. 12 shows a case where the pressing member 40 is a linear member and the half surface of the ink absorbing material 17 is pressed into a V shape. That is, in the above embodiment, the ink absorbing material 17 is pressed in a U-shape by using the plate-like pressing plate 40 on the half surface of the ink absorbing material 17, but in this modified example, the cost is further increased. In order to reduce the cost, a linear member is used as the pressing member 40 and the half surface of the ink absorbing material 17 is pressed into a V shape.

  FIG. 13 shows an improvement of the pressing member 40 shown in FIG. 12, and shows a case where the half surface of the ink absorbing material 17 is pressed into a U-shape. That is, in the case of the presser member 40 shown in FIG. 12, the corners of the ink absorbing material 17 may be lifted. Therefore, in order to prevent the corners of the ink absorbing material 17 from being lifted, the U-shaped linear member is pressed. It is characterized in that it is used as the member 40.

  FIG. 14 is an improvement of the presser member 40 shown in FIG. 12, which is made to prevent the entire surface of the ink absorbing material 17 from rising, and presses the half surface of the ink absorbing material 17 into a V-shape. Moreover, the case where the half surface is pressed in U shape is shown. Although not shown, the half surface of the ink absorbing material 17 may be pressed into a V shape, and the remaining half surface may be pressed into a V shape. Further, the half surface of the ink absorbing material 17 may be pressed into a U shape, and the remaining half surface may be pressed into a U shape.

  FIG. 15 shows a case where the half surface of the ink absorbing material 17 is pressed into a U shape and the remaining half surface is pressed into a U shape. This example is characterized in that the linear member used as the pressing member 40 is not linear but corrugated. Compared with the case where the linear member is linear, the contact area with the ink absorbing material 17 is increased, so that the swell can be further prevented.

  Next, a modification of the method for fixing the presser member (press plate) will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 16, a claw portion 36f is formed at the tip of the pin portion 36b, and the pressing plate 40 is held and fixed by the claw portion 36f. In the above-described embodiment, it is fixed by heat caulking, but can be more easily fixed by this claw portion 36f.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, a hole 36g is formed at the tip of the pin portion 36b, and a protrusion formed on the pressing plate 40 is engaged with the hole to hold and fix the pressing plate 40. It is. The push plate 40 can be fixed more easily.

  Further, in FIG. 18, a claw portion 102c is formed on the peripheral wall portions of the cap members 31 and 32 as in the prior art, and the pressing plate 40 is held and fixed by the claw portion 102c. In this case, it is possible to prevent the ink absorbing material from rising, but there is a possibility that the ink adheres to the claw portion 102c.

In the above embodiment, the description has been made using two ink absorbing materials, but it goes without saying that one ink absorbing material may be used.
Further, it is preferable that the pressing plate, the pressing member, and the pin portion are formed at positions that do not face the nozzles of the recording head. That is, when the pressing plate, the pressing member, and the pin portion are provided at the nozzle forming position of the recording head, the ink from the nozzles is prevented from directly hitting these members.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cap member that seals and covers the nozzle openings of the recording head and the cap holder that accommodates the cap member are separately described. The cap holder may be integrally formed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the ink absorbing material is fixed to the cap member by the pressing member, it is necessary to provide a claw portion for fixing the ink absorbing material as in the prior art. Disappear. By not forming the claw portion in this way, it is possible to prevent the ink droplet from adhering to the inside of the peripheral wall portion, and thus it is possible to prevent the ink droplet from scattering.

  Further, since the bulge due to swelling of the ink absorbing material is pressed by the pressing member, the upper surface of the ink absorbing material comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head, and the ink of the ink absorbing material adheres to the nozzle forming surface. Can be prevented.

  Furthermore, the rise of the central portion of the ink absorbing material can prevent a gap from being formed between the ink absorbing material and the bottom wall of the cap member or between the two ink absorbing materials. -Bubbles are not generated in the cap member at the time of ning, and ink can be prevented from adhering to the nozzle formation surface due to the scattering of bubbles.

  As described above, since the ink can be prevented from scattering and adhering, it is possible to perform excellent cleaning, the surface of the recording head facing the printing paper is not stained with ink, and the periphery of the cap member The ink is not stained with ink. As a result, high-quality printing can be obtained without contaminating the printing paper.

It is a perspective view which shows the outline of an inkjet recording device. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a recovery mechanism portion of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view which shows an example of the cap apparatus shown by FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the cap apparatus of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the cap apparatus of FIG. It is a top view which shows an example of a cap apparatus. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the pressing plate shown in FIG. 6. It is sectional drawing of the cap apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view of the cap member of FIG. It is a top view of the cap holder of FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification of a pressing member board. It is a top view which shows the modification of a pressing member. It is a top view which shows the modification of a pressing member. It is a top view which shows the modification of a pressing member. It is a top view which shows the modification of a pressing member. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the fixing means of a pressing member. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the fixing means of a pressing member. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the fixing means of a pressing member. It is a top view which shows the conventional cap apparatus. It is sectional drawing by the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing by the BB line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage, 2 Guide member, 5 Platen, 7 1st recording head, 8 2nd recording head, 9 Black ink cartridge, 10
Color ink cartridge, 31 first cap member, 31a ink suction port, 31b open port, 31d peripheral wall, 31e bottom wall, 31f insertion hole, 31g to 31k
1st recessed part-5th recessed part, 31l step part, 32 2nd cap member, 36 1st cap holder, 36a accommodation recessed part, 36b Pin part, 36c Suction pipe part, 36d Opening pipe part, 36e
Claw part, 36f claw part, 37 second cap holder, 40 pressing plate (pressing member), 40a belt-like part, 40b land part, 40c insertion hole, 40d land part, 40e
Aperture

Claims (10)

An ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink and prints on a recording sheet,
A recording head for printing on recording paper by discharging ink;
A cap device comprising at least a cap member that seals and covers the nozzle opening of the recording head, and a cap holder that houses the cap member;
Negative pressure generating means for sucking ink in the recording head through a cap member of the cap device;
An ink absorbing material housed in the cap member;
A pressing member that is located on the upper surface of the ink absorbing material and is arranged so as to press the substantially half surface or substantially the entire surface of the ink absorbing material;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that fixes the pressing member to the cap member. An ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink and prints on a recording sheet,
A recording head for printing on recording paper by discharging ink;
A cap device comprising at least a cap member that seals and covers the nozzle opening of the recording head, and a cap holder that houses the cap member;
Negative pressure generating means for sucking ink in the recording head through a cap member of the cap device;
An ink absorbing material housed in the cap member and having substantially the same shape as the inner circumference of the peripheral wall portion of the cap member;
A pressing member positioned on the upper surface of the ink absorbing material and spaced from the peripheral wall portion of the cap member, and arranged to press substantially half or substantially the entire surface of the ink absorbing material;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that fixes the pressing member to the cap member. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is a plate member or a linear member. The pressing member, with respect to the pin portion protruding to the upper surface of the ink absorbing material is formed in a cap member or cap holder, to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is fixed The inkjet recording apparatus described. The pressing member, by the pin portion projecting on the upper surface of the ink absorbing material is formed into the cap member or the cap holder is thermally caulked, claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is fixed An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the above. The pressing member, according to claim 1 to claim 4, characterized in that said pin portion projecting on the upper surface of the ink absorbing material by the claw portion provided in is formed in a cap member or the cap holder is fixed An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the above. The pressing member by engaging with the hole provided in the cap member or the pin portion formed in the cap holder to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is fixed The described ink jet recording apparatus. Pressing member made of the plate-like member has a land portion of the pin portion is inserted, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is composed of a strip portion connecting the land portion Inkjet recording apparatus. The pressing member includes a land portion which is formed at a position opposite to the ink suction port and the mouth opening, according to claim 1 to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a said land opening formed in part An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the above. Jet recording cap holder for accommodating the cap member and the cap member covering and sealing the nozzle openings of the recording head according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is formed integrally apparatus.

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